The Coalition of Human Rights Monitoring Groups (CHRMG) has strongly criticized the Nigeria Labour Congress’s (NLC) planned protest against the 50% telecom tariff increase, calling it “misguided and not in the public interest.”
The coalition of civil society organizations (CSOs) argued that the tariff hike, approved by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), is a necessary measure to prevent the telecom sector from collapsing.
President of the group, Gabriel Agibi, emphasized that with the current inflation rate at 34.8%—a nearly 300% increase from the 8.5% inflation rate in 2013—the tariff adjustment is essential to reflect economic realities.
Agibi explained that the NCC’s decision was made in good faith, considering ongoing reforms within the industry aimed at ensuring long-term sustainability. He further stated that the increase is critical to maintaining Nigeria’s telecom sector’s competitiveness on the global stage.
“The last telecom tariff increase was in 2013, when Nigeria’s inflation rate was 8.5%. Now, with inflation at 34.8%, a nearly 300% rise, the tariff adjustment is necessary to align with the current economic situation,” Agibi said.
He added that the decision was made with careful consideration of industry reforms and would remain within the tariff bands established by the 2013 NCC Cost Study, ensuring that it does not excessively burden consumers.
The increase, Agibi noted, is essential to ensuring Nigeria’s telecom sector stays competitive globally. He pointed out that compared to other countries, Nigeria’s telecom tariffs are relatively low. For instance, the average cost of 1GB of data in South Africa is approximately ₦1,200, and in Ghana, it’s around ₦1,500. In Nigeria, the average cost is about ₦500. This tariff hike will help bridge that gap and enable telecom operators to invest in infrastructure and improve service quality for consumers.
The Coalition also commended President Tinubu’s administration for its efforts to reform the telecom sector, ensuring its sustainability and growth. Agibi praised the President’s commitment to creating a favorable business environment, asserting that the tariff adjustment is a step in the right direction.
However, the Coalition of Human Rights Monitoring Groups urged the NLC to reconsider its position and engage in constructive dialogue with the NCC and other stakeholders.
The coalition also called on Nigerians to look beyond the immediate challenges of the tariff hike and consider the long-term benefits it will bring to the telecom sector and the broader economy.
