At the inauguration ceremony, Justice John T. Tsoho, the chief judge of the Federal High Court, described the initiative as a critical step toward modernising Nigeria’s judicial system, stressing that digital transformation is now a necessity rather than an option.

According to him, the e-filing platform is designed to enhance transparency, improve efficiency, and eliminate long-standing challenges associated with physical case files, including tampering, loss, and delays.

“For too long, the corridors of the Federal High Court have been weighed down by mountains of paper files. Today, we declare that era over.

“This is not just about deploying technology; it is about removing the barriers that have historically slowed the administration of justice,”Tsoho said.

He explained that the system creates a digital trail for every process, effectively preventing backdating and curbing exploitative practices within the registry.

Tsoho added that the new platform allows litigants and legal practitioners to file cases remotely at any time, noting that court registries are no longer restricted by working hours.

“The registry no longer closes at 2 p.m. Filing can now be done from anywhere with internet access. The time it takes for a case file to reach a judge has been reduced from days to seconds,” he said.

“All payments are processed through integrated channels, ensuring full accountability. Lawyers are also encouraged to adopt digital signatures and utilise the e-Affidavit platform for sworn documents,” he added

Also speaking, Chairman of the Judicial Information Technology Policy Committee and Chief Judge of Borno State High Court, Justice Kashim Zannah, underscored the resilience digital systems bring to judicial operations.

He cited the recent flood disaster in Maiduguri, which submerged court facilities, yet left judicial records intact due to digital backup.

“All registries were flooded, but we did not lose a single document because everything was stored in the cloud. Even while the courts were underwater, legal practitioners continued filing cases remotely, and court activities went on uninterrupted,”Zannah said.

He noted that states such as Borno, Bayelsa, Delta, Niger, and Taraba have already embraced e-filing, urging others, including Ekiti, Ebonyi, and Ogun, to follow suit.

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), represented by Mr Anene Nwadukwu, chairman of the Surulere Branch, threw its weight behind the initiative, describing it as essential to sustaining Lagos’ reputation as a hub for efficient legal services.

He maintained that the adoption of technology remains the surest path to improving justice delivery and aligning Nigeria’s judiciary with global best practices.

Yet, millions of Nigerian telecom consumers continue to suffer in silence under the weight of hidden charges, poor service quality and a lack of accountability.

Digital justice means more than access—it means equity. It demands that telecom providers treat consumers not as data points or revenue sources, but as king and as stakeholders in the digital economy.

It means ensuring that every consumer, regardless of location or income level, is treated as a king with dignity, fairness and transparency.

For far too long, telecom subscribers in Nigeria have been at the mercy of dropped calls, vanishing data, unsolicited messages and customer service systems that offer little recourse. We are told to “wait,” to “understand,” to “be patient”—while we pay full price for half-delivered services.

Consumers are billed for services they didn’t request, enrolled into promotions they never opted into and penalized by silence when they lodge complaints. The systems designed to protect them often respond too slowly—or not at all.

This is not just a service failure. It is a justice failure.

We must hold service providers accountable—but we must also demand more from the regulator. The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is already strengthening its consumer protection frameworks, enforcing penalties for breaches, and pushing for transparent billing systems across all networks.

Regulation should no longer be reactive. It must be proactive, preventive and people-centric. The NCC seems to be on the right track in this regard.

A digitally just Nigeria will ensure:

• Transparency in data usage and billing
• Swift, accessible complaint resolution channels
• Protection from unsolicited and paid content
• Automatic compensation for service failures or disruptions
• A regulatory system that listens to and prioritizes the consumer voice

Digital justice also means putting systems in place to protect the most vulnerable—low-income users, rural dwellers and those unfamiliar with complex service terms or digital platforms.

This call is not just a critique; it is a call for advocacy groups, legal minds, tech entrepreneurs, the media and everyday Nigerians to rise in defense of the consumer.

Let us no longer normalize the abnormal. Let us demand fairness in how we connect, communicate and contribute to the digital space. The digital economy must not be built on consumer frustration—but on consumer trust.

As we look ahead to a future powered by artificial intelligence, 5G, digital banking and virtual platforms, we must not forget the basics: respect, transparency and fairness.

Digital justice is not a request. It is a right.

At the start of 2025, Nigerian telecom subscribers faced a significant 50% increase in tariffs on voice, data, and SMS services.

This hike led to a decline of approximately one million internet users in February, as reported by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

Data consumption also dropped by 12% in the same month, reflecting consumers’ cautious usage in response to increased costs.

The tariff adjustments were attributed to escalating operational costs for telecom operators, driven by factors such as high inflation, currency devaluation, and increased energy expenses.

In 2023, MTN Nigeria reported losses of approximately ₦137 billion, while Airtel Africa experienced a 15.55% decline in Profit Before Tax, largely due to foreign exchange and energy-related losses.

Despite the higher costs, service quality issues persist. The NCC identified data depletion and billing issues as the top consumer complaints in 2024.

Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, noted that the complexity of tariff plans and the impact of high-resolution devices contribute to these concerns.

To address this, the NCC issued a ‘Guidance for the Simplification of Tariffs,’ mandating operators to provide clear information on data plans and

Gbenga Adebayo, President of the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), acknowledged that many consumers are unaware of background data usage by smart devices, leading to unexpected data depletion.

He emphasized the industry’s commitment to transparency and consumer

The increased costs and service issues have led to a surge in subscribers switching networks. In January 2025, over 8,700 subscribers ported their numbers to different operators, a 190% increase from the previous month. 9mobile experienced the highest customer losses, while MTN, Airtel, and Globacom gained subscribers during this period

Despite these challenges, the telecom sector saw growth in active subscriptions, rising to 169.3 million in January 2025. MTN led with 87.5 million subscribers, followed by Airtel with 57.6 million, and Globacom with 20.5 million

Telecom Giants vs the People

Nigeria’s telecom operators have made significant investments in expanding broadband coverage, with initiatives like 4G and 5G rollout, fiber infrastructure, and partnerships with global tech firms. However, these investments are often driven by profit, not inclusion.

Despite NCC’s efforts to regulate pricing and improve service delivery, consumers regularly complain about data zapping, network downtimes, and non-transparent billing practices. Competition has done little to force down prices meaningfully, as all major players face similar infrastructural hurdles and operational costs.

A Call for Digital Justice

If Nigeria is serious about becoming a digital economy powerhouse, it must confront the high cost of connectivity head-on. This means investing heavily in:

• Rural broadband infrastructure
• Affordable data pricing models
• Improved electricity access
• Consumer protection regulations

Public-private partnerships must be strengthened to reduce costs while maintaining profitability. Local innovation in satellite internet, community Wi-Fi, and solar-powered connectivity hubs must be encouraged and scaled.

Conclusion: Connectivity Is a Right, Not a Privilege

The internet fuels education, commerce, healthcare, and governance. For Nigeria’s youths, startups, and underserved communities, access to affordable and reliable internet can mean the difference between opportunity and exclusion.

The cost of staying connected should not cost Nigerians their dignity, income, or peace of mind.

It’s time we reframe internet access in Nigeria not as a commercial commodity—but as a public utility, a human right, and a catalyst for national development.

The Path Forward

As Nigeria continues to embrace digital transformation, ensuring affordable and reliable connectivity is crucial. Stakeholders must collaborate to address infrastructural challenges, simplify tariff structures, and enhance service quality. Only then can the promise of a connected Nigeria be fully realized.