The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), has given President Bola Tinubu’s administration 48 hours to reverse the 50% tariff hike granted to network providers for calls and data by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
SERAP, a human rights advocacy and pro-democracy organization, contended that the hike would increase financial burdens for economically vulnerable Nigerians, exacerbating poverty and discrimination.
On January 20, the NCC approved the request by telecommunications companies (telcos) to increase tariffs, citing prevailing market conditions.
Reuben Mouka, the commission’s spokesperson, announced the decision in a statement on Monday, explaining that the approval aligns with the NCC’s regulatory powers under Section 108 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.
He said that the adjustment allows a maximum increase of 50 percent on current tariffs, a compromise from the over 100 percent hike initially requested by some network operators.
Mouka explained that the tariff rates have remained static since 2013, despite the increasing costs of operation faced by telecom operators, adding that operators are also required to educate and inform the public about the new rates while demonstrating measurable improvements in service delivery.
However, SERAP in a statement issued on its X account on Tuesday asked the government to reverse the tariff hike within 48 hours, threatening to take legal action if the Nigerian government fails to reverse the hike.
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“The Tinubu administration and telcos must immediately reverse the unlawful increase in calls and data costs. We’ll see in court if the 50% tariff hike is not reversed within 48 hours,” part of the statement read.
SERAP stressed that the government has legal obligations to ensure that telecom operations do not impair the enjoyment of rights, particularly the right to affordable communication services.
“We are prepared to challenge this in court if the 50% tariff hike is not reversed within 48 hours,” SERAP added, indicating a legal challenge based on the unlawfulness of the tariff increase.
Meanwhile, the National Association of Telecoms Subscribers (NATCOMS) has also announced plans to sue the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) over the recently approved 50 percent tariff hike, declaring the ‘50% Tariff Increase Not Acceptable’
The president of NATCOMS Deolu Ogunbanjo criticised the NCC for failing to involve subscribers in the decision-making process.