The House of Representatives has directed the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, along with the Nigerian Communications Commission, to suspend the planned increase in telecommunications tariffs until service delivery is enhanced.
The decision followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance during the plenary session on Tuesday, moved by lawmaker Oforji Oboku.
In presenting the motion, Oboku recalled Tijani’s statement made after a stakeholders’ meeting with Mobile Network Operators in Abuja on January 8, 2025. Tijani had revealed that telecommunications tariffs would soon rise. The lawmaker explained that the telecom companies cited reasons such as the need for investment, improved networks, and the growing demand for digital services across sectors like education, banking, and healthcare as justifications for the increase.
Oboku further noted that the telecommunications companies had been advocating for the tariff hike for the past 11 years, citing the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria and the Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria.
The lawmaker also highlighted the opposition to the proposed increase from the National Association of Telecoms Subscribers, which described the hike as insensitive and burdensome, especially considering the ongoing economic hardship and poor network service delivery.
Oboku emphasized the need for telecommunications companies to improve their service delivery, particularly addressing the poor network issues Nigerians have long complained about, before implementing any price increase. He pointed out that the rising cost of living, with inflation hitting a record 34.6 percent in November 2024, coupled with foreign exchange fluctuations, makes it critical for telcos to provide quality service before considering tariff hikes.
The lawmaker expressed concerns that the proposed price hikes would exacerbate the financial struggles of average Nigerians, threaten the country’s goal of using technology for economic revival, deepen poverty, and increase existing inequalities, with lower-income families bearing the brunt of the impact.
Oboku argued that affordable connectivity is essential for progress in key sectors such as digital banking, education, healthcare, agriculture, and e-governance.
After a debate, the House resolved to urge the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, along with the Nigerian Communications Commission, to suspend the planned telecommunications tariff increase until there is an improvement in service delivery.
