Nigerian telecom subscribers have taken legal action against the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) over its decision to approve a 50% increase in call and data tariffs. The move comes after failed attempts by advocacy groups and consumer rights organizations to negotiate a reduction in the hike.
The National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers (NATCOMS) has confirmed its plan to challenge the tariff adjustment in court. The group had earlier requested the NCC to reconsider its decision and reduce the increase to a more manageable 10%, but the regulator did not respond within the given timeframe.
The tariff increase, announced last week, is the first in over a decade. However, it has sparked outrage among consumers and civil society organizations, including the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and the Nigeria Labour Congress.
These groups argue that the price hike will place additional financial strain on Nigerians, especially low-income earners and small businesses already struggling with inflation and economic instability.
On Friday, NATCOMS reached out to the NCC in writing, urging it to review the decision within three working days. By Tuesday evening, the group had not received a response, prompting it to move forward with legal proceedings.
NATCOMS President, Adeolu Ogunbanjo, confirmed the development, stating, “We gave them until the end of the day (Tuesday) to respond. Since we have not received any response, we are moving forward with the court process starting tomorrow (Wednesday).”
Similarly, SERAP has filed a lawsuit against the federal government, challenging the legality of the tariff increase. The case, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, argues that the NCC’s decision violates Nigerians’ rights to freedom of expression and access to information.
The rights group is also seeking an injunction to halt the implementation of the tariff hike until the court rules on its legality.
While telecom operators insist that the price increase is necessary to sustain their businesses, consumer advocates believe it will disproportionately affect the most vulnerable Nigerians.
According to NATCOMS, 157 million subscribers depend on affordable telecom services, making the price hike a significant burden. The group also notes that many Nigerians rely on mobile communication for essential daily activities, including business transactions and access to online services.
Despite the backlash, government officials and industry stakeholders have defended the decision. Finance Minister Wale Edun argued that the adjustment reflects rising operational costs and inflation over the past 12 years.
Speaking at the 2025 World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Edun stated, “There is a need to reflect the fact that over 12 years, there has been a rise in costs, there has been inflation, and that needs to be reflected.” He added that the goal is to ensure telecom operators remain sustainable while maintaining service quality.
The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry also voiced support for the tariff increase, urging telecom companies to use the additional revenue to improve network quality and expand services.
LCCI’s Director-General, Chinyere Almona, said, “Looking beyond the hike, the operators and regulators need to settle down into delivering quality services to drive operational cost efficiency for businesses and support the automation of government services.”
Telecom operators, including MTN and Airtel, have justified the price increase as a necessary step for long-term sustainability. MTN Nigeria CEO Karl Toriola described it as “an important step towards addressing the impacts of the prevailing economic challenges on our business and industry.”
Airtel Nigeria CEO Dinesh Balsingh echoed similar sentiments, stating that the hike will enable investments in better infrastructure and improved services.
