The House of Representatives has urged the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy and the Nigerian Communications Commission to suspend the impending hike in telecommunications tariffs until service delivery improves.
The member representing Yenagoa Opokuma Federal Constituency of Bayelsa State, Obuku Oforgi, moved and sponsored the motion before it was adopted by the House.
Recall that after a stakeholders’ meeting with Mobile Network Operators in Abuja on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, said telecommunication tariffs would soon increase.
Although the operators requested for a 100 percent increase in tariff, the minister said it would not be a 100 percent increase and that the NCC would approve and announce the new tariffs in due course.
However, Oforgi is of the view that telecoms operators must improve their services before they can hike tariffs.
“It is imperative that telecommunications companies improve their service delivery, which Nigerians have been yearning for over the years, before embarking on any tariff increase,” Oforgi said.
He also said he is worried that the far-reaching effects of the price hikes would not only hit lower-income families the hardest, but also deepen financial struggles for the average Nigerian as well as threaten the country’s vision of leveraging technology to drive economic revival, exacerbate poverty, and widen existing inequalities.
Oforgi added, “Affordable connectivity is essential for progress in critical sectors such as digital banking, education, healthcare, agriculture, and e-governance. Informal sector workers who depend on affordable mobile data to access gig work opportunities may find it harder to stay connected.
“Saddened that small businesses, which rely heavily on affordable telecommunications for operations, marketing, and customer engagement, will face an additional financial burden.”
Billy Osawaru seconded the motion and pointed out that there was no justification for the tariff hike due to the poor service provided by telecom operators.
When the motion was put to a voice vote by the Speaker, it was unanimously supported by members of the lower House.
The motion was referred to the House Committee on Telecommunications for further legislative action.
