The human rights organization, Take It Back Movement, has condemned the Nigerian Communications Commission’s recent approval of a 50% hike in tariffs for calls, text messages, and data services.
The group has called on President Bola Tinubu’s administration to immediately reverse the decision, warning that failure to do so could lead to widespread protests across the nation.
“This decision will severely affect Nigerians already struggling with rising living costs due to ongoing economic challenges and undermines the progress made in making mobile services more affordable and accessible in Nigeria,” stated Juwon Sanyaolu and Stephen Olabiyi, the group’s national coordinator and spokesperson, respectively.
The tariff increase, which the NCC claims is necessary to close the gap between operational costs and service delivery, has sparked outrage among many Nigerians. Critics argue that it comes at a time when citizens are already burdened by high living costs caused by inflation and economic difficulties.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has also called on Nigerians to prepare for a nationwide boycott of telecommunications services in protest of the increase.
In a statement on Wednesday, NLC President Joe Ajaero condemned the hike, describing it as an unfair burden on citizens already facing economic hardship.
The Take It Back Movement highlighted the damaging effects the tariff hike could have on ordinary Nigerians. “This increase threatens to deepen the digital divide and worsen economic inequalities across the country,” the group stated.
“The development of Nigeria’s digital economy and mobile money sector depends on affordable data and telecom services, and these higher costs will hinder their growth,” they added.
The group criticized the government’s justification that the hike is necessary to address operational costs, calling it unacceptable. Instead, they argue, the increase will disproportionately burden the most vulnerable Nigerians.
“We demand that the Nigerian Communications Commission reconsider this decision and explore alternative solutions to support telecom companies without harming millions of Nigerians,” the group’s statement continued.
In addition to their demand for a policy reversal, the movement called on Nigerians to join their efforts to resist the tariff hike. They described the proposed increase as unjust and disconnected from the realities faced by ordinary citizens.
“We urge Nigerians to stand with us in protesting these unfair price hikes and advocating for transparent, inclusive policymaking that addresses the needs and aspirations of the people,” the group concluded.
