Telcos Tariff Hike: House of Representatives Demand Immediate Reversal Amid Economic Hardship

 Nigerian telecommunications operators have begun implementing a 50% tariff increase following approval from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), sparking strong opposition from the House of Representatives.

 Lawmakers on Tuesday directed the telecom regulator and the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy to suspend the hike, citing the financial strain on citizens already grappling with rising inflation and fuel subsidy removal.

The NCC had cleared the price adjustment, which officially took effect on Monday. MTN, Nigeria’s largest telecom provider, has started rolling out new pricing structures, with other key players like Glo, Airtel, and 9mobile expected to follow suit. An MTN executive, speaking anonymously, confirmed that price adjustments were being phased in across various products.

The new tariffs have significantly affected data bundles, with the 1.5GB monthly plan increasing from N1,000 to N1,500, and the 15GB plan jumping from N4,500 to N6,500. Similarly, long-term plans have seen drastic changes, with the 1.5TB 90-day plan soaring from N150,000 to N240,000.

The motion to halt the increase was moved under the title: “Need for the Nigerian Communications Commission not to approve the impending hike in telecommunications tariffs.” Lawmakers argued that while telecom operators cite operational costs as justification, the timing is insensitive given the economic challenges Nigerians face.

Airtel and Globacom representatives confirmed that they were reviewing their pricing structures, with possible updates imminent. The House of Representatives has insisted that the NCC must justify the hike before implementation can continue.