A nationwide protest is currently brewing in Nigeria following the Nigerian Communications Commission’s (NCC) approval of a 50% increase in telecommunication tariffs. The decision, announced by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, on Monday, January 20, has sparked widespread outrage among Nigerians already grappling with economic hardship.
Telecom operators, including MTN and Airtel, had initially sought a 100% tariff hike, citing the devaluation of the naira and rising operational costs. However, the NCC approved a 50% increase, which will see call rates rise from N11 to N16.5 per minute, SMS costs increase from N4 to N6, and data prices jump to N431.25 per gigabyte.
Stakeholders Reject Tariff Hike
The decision has been met with stiff opposition from stakeholders, who argue that the timing is inappropriate given the current economic challenges facing the nation. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has urged Nigerians to reject the hike, describing it as an additional burden on citizens. The NLC has also threatened to mobilize workers to boycott telecom services if the decision is not reversed.
Similarly, the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) condemned the tariff increase, lamenting that it would exacerbate the already harsh living conditions of workers and ordinary Nigerians.
“Wrong Timing, Wrong Action” – Yunusa Tanko
In an exclusive interview with journalists, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, National Coordinator of the OBIDIENT Movement Worldwide, called on the Federal Government to halt the tariff hike, describing it as “wrong timing, wrong action, and wrong choice.”
Tanko warned that the increase would further cripple the struggling economy, stating, “A 50% tariff increase by the NCC at this time is only a final burial to the already struggling economy. All sectors of the economy need adequate communication to keep up with their game; the outturn will be spontaneous.”
He highlighted the influx of 14 million Nigerians into poverty within a year, attributing it to uninformed government policies and poor economic decisions. Tanko urged the NCC and the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy to prioritize the interests of Nigerians, conduct thorough analyses, and consider the broader implications of such decisions.
Nigerians Plan Nationwide Protests
Irked by the development, The Bureau Newspaper gathered that Nigerians are planning nationwide protests to compel the government to reverse the decision. Prominent activist and politician Omoyele Sowore confirmed that discussions are underway to organize mass actions against the tariff hike.
Sowore, who recently met with the NLC leadership to harmonize plans for nationwide protests, described the increase as unjust and backbreaking. “I met with the NLC leadership yesterday to discuss possible nationwide action against this unjust and backbreaking tariff increase. Yes, I will support any form of credible protest,” he said.
Another activist, Comrade Timothy Onyilo, criticized the hike, stating that it would discourage students from conducting academic research. “The only language the government understands is protest, and they are going to have it. Did they really consider students before coming up with this decision? Every student needs the internet for academic research. Things are already hard, and some people are still making it harder,” he lamented.
NANS Issues Ultimatum
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy to reverse the decision or face nationwide protests. In a statement on Wednesday, NANS emphasized that affordable internet access is crucial for bridging the educational gap in Nigeria. The association warned that the tariff hike would exclude millions of students from accessing quality education, further deepening the digital divide.
FCCPC Calls for Service Improvement
Meanwhile, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has mandated telecom operators to prioritize service improvement, including network reliability, speed, and accessibility, as part of the planned tariff adjustments. In a statement by its Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondanje Ijagwu, the FCCPC acknowledged the economic pressures faced by telecom operators but emphasized that consumer interests remain paramount.