Telecom subscribers in Nigeria may go to court tomorrow to contest the 50% tariff increase the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) sanctioned for telecom operators.
According to Vanguard, they expressed their disapproval of the planned February 4, 2025, protest by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), emphasizing that such actions might deter foreign investors expected in the sector.
Subscribers under the National Association of Telecom Subscribers in Nigeria (NATCOMS) will only refrain from legal action if the regulator agrees to reduce the hike to 10 percent immediately.
During a conversation with Vanguard on Wednesday evening regarding the plan, Chief Deolu Ogunbanjo, the National President of NATCOMS, revealed that the association had formally requested the NCC to reduce the price hike to 10 percent. They anticipate a favorable response from the commission today; if not, they intend to initiate legal action by tomorrow.
A letter signed by Ogunbanjo and Legal Counsel Mr. Bayo Omotubora shared with Vanguard, expressed: “The Nigerian Communications Commission’s (NCC) recent approval of a 50% increase in telecommunications service tariffs is akin to sacrificing the average Nigerian consumer, subjecting them to undue hardship. We assert that this decision is excessive.”
“It is quite regrettable that the Commission seems to have abdicated its primary responsibility of protecting telecoms consumers from the unabridged quest of the telecoms operators to maximize profits at all costs.
“The Operators have various options to fall back to, generate capital to retool their operations, aggressive debtors chase, intra-industry debts, without casting the unbearable burden of 50% tariff hike on the hapless Telecoms Subscribers.
“Based on the above, we urge the NCC not to proceed with the 50% tariff increase and instead suggest that operators seek alternative funding sources, as they are private enterprises. Even if a tariff increase is warranted, a 10% rise would be a more balanced approach while exploring other fundraising strategies.”
