The Grassroots Centre for Rights & Civic Orientation has strongly criticised the Nigerian Communications Commission’s (NCC) recent approval of a 50% increase in telecommunications tariffs, citing poor service delivery and the worsening economic burden on Nigerians.
The tariff adjustment, approved on January 20, followed lobbying efforts by telecom companies, including MTN Nigeria, which initially sought a 100% increase. Operators justified the hike by pointing to inflation, foreign exchange instability, rising diesel costs, and increased network maintenance expenses.
In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Armsfree Ajanaku, the Grassroots Centre accused the NCC of prioritising corporate interests over consumer welfare. “We call on the NCC to immediately share with Nigerians a comprehensive framework for ensuring telcos deliver world-class services. Only such a service-driven approach can foster a telecoms industry that supports Nigeria’s economic development, rather than arbitrary profiteering by a few telecom giants,” Ajanaku stated.
The group questioned the justification for the tariff increase, highlighting the disconnect between higher charges and substandard service delivery. “Even if inflation and exchange rate volatility are considered, does a 50% tariff hike not constitute an overkill at a time when Nigerians are grappling with severe economic hardships?” Ajanaku asked.
Under the new structure, call rates rise from ₦11 to ₦16.50 per minute, SMS charges from ₦4 to ₦6, and 1GB of data now costs ₦431.25, up from ₦350. The Grassroots Centre described the increases as “extortionate” and accused the government of offloading the consequences of its economic policies onto citizens.
The group also criticised the NCC for failing to outline a clear strategy to improve service quality, challenging the regulator’s role. “As a regulator, is the NCC’s role to help telcos engage in price gouging or to ensure a telecoms industry with world-class quality of service?” Ajanaku queried. With Nigerians already burdened by rising fuel and electricity costs, the Grassroots Centre argued that the tariff hike exacerbates financial hardships and unfairly penalises ordinary citizens for the government’s poorly implemented economic policies. The organisation called for an immediate reversal of the increase and prioritisation of service improvements.
