By MUHAMMED DANBABA
Abuja, Nigeria – The House of Representatives has directed the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to suspend the proposed increase in telecommunications tariffs until service quality improves.
Lawmakers Reject Telecom Tariff Hike
The House took this stance after adopting a motion of urgent public importance moved by Obuku Oforji, the lawmaker representing Yenagoa/Kolokuma/Opokuma federal constituency of Bayelsa State.
Oforji referenced the January 8, 2025, stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja, where the minister confirmed that tariffs would soon increase, citing:
- Rising investment costs
- Need for better networks
- Increased demand for digital services across education, banking, and healthcare
However, the National Association of Telecoms Subscribers rejected the proposed hike, calling it insensitive amid ongoing economic hardship and poor service quality.
“The telecom companies must first improve their services before implementing any price increase,” Oforji argued.
The House expressed concerns that the tariff hike could:
✅ Worsen economic hardship
✅ Threaten Nigeria’s digital economy goals
✅ Exacerbate poverty and widen inequalities
Subscribers Boycott MTN Over Sharp Data, SMS Price Hike
Meanwhile, MTN Nigeria has already raised its data and SMS rates, prompting users to switch to alternative network providers.
📌 MTN Data Tariff Changes:
- 15GB → From ₦4,500 to ₦6,500
- 20GB → From ₦5,500 to ₦7,500
- 600GB (90 days) → From ₦75,000 to ₦120,000
- 1.5TB (90 days) → From ₦150,000 to ₦240,000
- SMS Rate → From ₦4 to ₦6 per message
The price hikes sparked online outrage, with users criticizing MTN’s move amid economic hardship.
🔹 Social Media Reactions:
“It’s nearly impossible for the average Nigerian to progress. 15GB used to be ₦2,000, now it’s ₦6,000.” – @not_ahmedjunior
“MTN’s 15GB data plan now costs ₦6,000. That’s ₦24,000 a month—almost the national minimum wage!” – @Silva
“The government is watching people plunge further into poverty.” – @neefenawti
What’s Next?
📢 Regulatory Uncertainty:
- NCC initially approved a 50% increase but rejected MTN’s proposed 150% hike
- MTN’s sudden price adjustment took effect earlier than expected, despite ongoing talks with the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC)
- Other telecom operators (Airtel, Globacom, 9mobile) are yet to announce similar hikes
📢 Possible Consumer Backlash:
- Subscribers are switching to alternative providers
- Calls for regulatory intervention to prevent arbitrary pricing
- Boycott campaigns gaining traction online
As public dissatisfaction grows, all eyes are on the NCC and federal government to address telecom pricing and service quality concerns.
Hashtags:
#Nigeria, #MTNHike, #TelecomTariffs, #HouseOfReps, #NCC, #DataCosts, #EconomicHardship,
