The House of Representatives has ordered the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to immediately suspend the controversial 50% hike in telecommunication tariffs, citing the crushing economic hardship plaguing Nigerians.
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The lawmakers, during Tuesday’s heated plenary session, took a firm stance against the proposed tariff increase, arguing that it would worsen the financial struggles of millions already battling the aftermath of fuel subsidy removal.
The motion, spearheaded by Bayelsa lawmaker Oboku Oforji of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), highlighted the devastating impact such a hike would have on citizens, small businesses, and the struggling economy.
Oforji slammed the justification put forth by telecom operators, who have been pushing for cost-reflective tariffs, insisting that service providers must first improve their poor network quality before burdening consumers with higher costs.
“The National Association of Telecoms Subscribers has outrightly rejected this increase, calling it insensitive and an unnecessary strain on Nigerians already grappling with high inflation, job losses, and skyrocketing living costs,” Oforji declared.
Other lawmakers echoed these sentiments, with Edo State’s Billy Osawaru condemning the move, questioning why economic hardships always seem to target ordinary Nigerians.
“First, it was electricity tariff, now telecom services! Must the poor always suffer in this country?” he fumed.
However, not everyone in the chamber opposed the increase. APGA’s Dominic Okafor attempted to justify the hike, arguing that telecom companies needed the revenue boost to enhance infrastructure and service quality.
But his argument was quickly dismissed by his colleagues, who insisted that Nigerians should not be forced to pay more for the same subpar service.
The House ultimately ruled that the NCC and the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy must suspend the hike until telecom providers demonstrate a significant improvement in service quality.
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