The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to President Bola Tinubu, demanding the reversal of the recent 50% hike in telecom tariffs.
In a statement released on Tuesday, SERAP described the increase as “unlawful” and warned of impending legal action if the government and telecom operators fail to reverse the decision.
“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,” the group declared.
OsunDailyNG recalls that the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) announced the tariff adjustment on Monday, January 20, in a bid to address rising operational costs in the telecom sector.
In a statement, NCC Director of Public Affairs, Reuben Muoka noted that the adjustment, capped at a maximum of 50%, was made following extensive industry consultations.
“The adjustment, capped at a maximum of 50 per cent of current tariffs, though lower than the over 100 per cent requested by some network operators, was arrived at taking into account ongoing industry reforms that will positively influence sustainability,” Muoka explained.
The NCC emphasized that the new tariffs remain within the bands stipulated in its 2013 Cost Study and align with the recently issued NCC Guidance on Tariff Simplification, 2024.
The commission stated that tariff rates had remained static since 2013, despite significant increases in operational costs faced by telecom operators.
The adjustment, it said, was necessary to bridge the gap between costs and revenue, ensuring the sustainability of telecom services.
“These adjustments will support the ability of operators to continue investing in infrastructure and innovation, ultimately benefiting consumers through improved services and connectivity, including better network quality, enhanced customer service, and greater coverage,” the NCC noted.
Public Outrage And Calls For Reversal
SERAP’s ultimatum reflects growing public dissatisfaction over the hike, with many Nigerians expressing concerns about its impact on the cost of living.
Critics argue that the increase will place an additional financial burden on citizens already grappling with inflation and economic hardship.
SERAP has been vocal about its opposition to policies that it perceives as detrimental to Nigerians. The organization insists that the tariff hike violates the rights of consumers and threatens access to affordable communication services.
“This increase is not only unjustifiable but also unlawful. It risks undermining the accessibility of essential communication services for millions of Nigerians,” SERAP’s statement read.
