The House of Representatives has called on the Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy to suspend the approval granted to telecommunications companies (telcos) for a 50% tariff increase.
The resolution was passed during plenary on Tuesday following the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Oboku Oforji, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmaker representing Yenagoa/Opokuma Federal Constituency of Bayelsa State.
In January, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) approved telcos’ request for a tariff increase, marking the first review since 2013. Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, had stated that the new tariff would enable telecom companies to invest in infrastructure and enhance connectivity.
However, Oforji argued that the tariff hike is unjustifiable, given the economic hardship and poor service delivery faced by consumers. He emphasized that telecom operators must first improve network quality before implementing any price increase.
“The far-reaching effects of these price hikes will deepen financial struggles for the average Nigerian, threaten the country’s vision of leveraging technology for economic revival, exacerbate poverty, and widen existing inequalities, hitting lower-income families the hardest,” he said.
He further noted that affordable connectivity is crucial for sectors such as digital banking, education, healthcare, agriculture, and e-governance. He warned that small businesses relying on telecommunications for operations, marketing, and customer engagement would face additional financial strain, potentially leading to closures.
According to Oforji, a 10% increase in telecom costs could reduce small business profitability by up to 7%, highlighting the economic impact of the proposed tariff adjustment.
