The House of Representatives on Tuesday called for the suspension of the recently proposed 50% hike in telecommunications tariffs by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), citing the ongoing economic challenges faced by Nigerians, particularly due to the removal of fuel subsidies.
The decision came after a motion of urgent public importance was presented by Oboku Oforji, a lawmaker from Bayelsa State. Titled “Need for the Nigerian Communications Commission not to approve the impending hike in the telecommunications tariffs,” Oforji expressed concerns about the toll the proposed increase would take on Nigerian consumers already grappling with the rising cost of living.
Oforji emphasized that while telecom companies had justified the hike with claims of rising operational costs and the need for improved service delivery, many Nigerians were already struggling to meet basic needs. He pointed out that the proposed tariff increase could deepen the financial challenges for lower-income families and small businesses, disproportionately affecting the country’s most vulnerable citizens.
“The telecommunications companies have been advocating for the hike for the last eleven years. With inflation hitting a record 34.6% in November 2024 and ongoing losses from foreign exchange fluctuations, the cost of communication has become a growing burden,” Oforji stated. “But Nigerians are already going through enough hardship. Raising telecom tariffs is simply insensitive at this time.”
He further noted that the National Association of Telecoms Subscribers had rejected the proposed hike, calling it a move that would exacerbate poverty and inequality. Oforji argued that before increasing tariffs, telecom companies should first address the ongoing issues with network service delivery, which Nigerians have long complained about.
The lawmaker also highlighted the vital role of affordable telecommunications in key sectors such as digital banking, education, healthcare, agriculture, and e-governance. He stressed that small businesses, in particular, would be hit hard by the proposed tariff increase, potentially leading to a decline in profitability and even closures.
Other lawmakers also weighed in on the issue. Dominic Okafor of the All Progressives Grand Alliance supported the increase, arguing that telecom service providers needed the revenue to improve their infrastructure and service delivery. However, he suggested that the tariff increase should not be as steep as 100%.
Billy Osawaru, a federal lawmaker from Edo State, opposed the hike, suggesting that telecom companies must first improve their services before imposing additional costs on consumers. “Why must the poor suffer whenever things go wrong? Nigerians deserve better service at affordable rates,” Osawaru stated.
After much debate, the House of Representatives passed a resolution urging the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, as well as the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), to suspend the tariff hike until the quality of telecom services in the country improved.
