The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) have demanded the reversal of the recent 50% hike in telecom tariffs, issuing a 48-hour ultimatum to President Bola Tinubu.
TheNewsGuru reports that Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on January 20, 2025, announced regulatory approval for telecom operators to raise tariffs by 50 per cent. The agency said the tariff hike will help the operators improve the country’s telecommunication infrastructure.
The tariff hike follows agitations from the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) and the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) to review call tariffs upwards.
In a fresh development, 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.
SERAP’s ultimatum reflects growing public dissatisfaction over the hike, with many Nigerians expressing concerns about its impact on the cost of living.
The organization also insisted 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.