Telecommunications network providers in have been asked to ditch the implementation of the already approved 50% adjustments in tariffs.
The House of Representatives on Tuesday directed the Nigerian Communications Commission and the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy to suspend the tariff increase.
They argued that Nigerians cannot afford higher telecom costs amid rising inflation and the removal of fuel subsidies.
The opposing voices from the lawmakers became louder on Tuesday as the telcos started implementing the long-awaited 50% tariff hike following regulatory approval from the Nigerian Communications Commission.
The lawmakers have threatened to halt the rollout, citing economic hardship.
The tariff hike, which had been cleared by the NCC, was scheduled to take effect nationwide starting Monday.
MTN, the country’s largest telecommunications provider, had already started implementing the revised rates as of Tuesday.
For instance, MTN’s 15GB weekly plan, previously priced at ₦2,000, now costs ₦6,000, which is about 200% increase. But, the 100GB data bundle, which used to be ₦20,000, has been replaced by a 90GB plan for ₦25,000, a 25% increase.
The 600GB bundle, once ₦75,000, has now been adjusted to ₦120,000 for 480GB, amounting to a 60% price jump.
Further review of MTN’s updated data plans shows that the 1.8GB monthly plan now costs ₦1,500, replacing the previous 1.5GB plan which was ₦1,000.
Similarly, the 15GB plan has risen from ₦4,500 to ₦6,500, while the 20GB plan now sells for ₦7,500, up from ₦5,500. The changes also extend to text messaging, with all major operators now charging ₦6 per SMS, up from the previous ₦4.
Meanwhile, other key players—Glo, Airtel, and 9mobile—had yet to release their new pricing structure.
But the House of Representatives opposition came after a motion of urgent public importance was raised by a member from Bayelsa State, Oboku Oforji during Tuesday’s plenary session.
The motion, titled “Need for the Nigerian Communications Commission not to approve the impending hike in the telecommunications tariffs,” sought to halt the tariff increase.
Oforji argued that while telecommunications companies justified the tariff hike by citing rising operational costs and the need for improved service delivery, the timing was particularly problematic given the economic hardship many Nigerians face.
He noted that inflation, which hit a record 34.6 per cent in November 2024, and the removal of fuel subsidies had already placed significant financial strain on citizens.
“The House is aware that telecom operators have been advocating for this hike for over eleven years,” Oforji said.
“However, the National Association of Telecoms Subscribers has rejected the proposed increase, describing it as insensitive and a further burden on consumers who are already grappling with economic challenges and poor network service delivery.”
Oforji emphasised that the telcos must first address long-standing issues related to poor network service before implementing a price increase. He warned that the tariff hike would only exacerbate financial struggles for many Nigerians, deepening poverty and widening inequalities.
“Affordable connectivity is a must for progress in critical sectors like digital banking, education, healthcare, agriculture and e-governance,” stressing that “informal sector workers who depend on affordable mobile data to access gig work opportunities may find it harder to stay connected.”
He further argued that small businesses “which rely heavily on affordable telecommunication for operations, marketing, and customer engagement, will face additional financial burden.”
Oforji said, “It is estimated that a 10 per cent increase in telecommunications costs would reduce small business profitability up to 7 per cent, potentially leading to the closure of businesses.”
Another lawmaker from Edo State, Billy Osawaru, called on the service providers to first improve the quality of their services before coming up with a hike in tariff.
“Why is it that when things go wrong in this country, the poor people must suffer? First, it was the electricity tariff, now it is the turn of the telecom companies. Nigerians must enjoy these services.
“In the developed world, people are not used to carrying two mobile phones but this is the practice here. The thinking is if there is no service in one, you might be lucky with the other one. I believe that this increase in tariff should wait until services improve,” he said.
Industry stakeholders, particularly the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria, have defended the tariff increase, arguing that it is vital for the long-term sustainability of the sector.
The Chairman of ALTON, Gbenga Adebayo highlighted that sustained underinvestment in the telecommunications sector could lead to an irreparable decline in services.
“I understand that a price review is necessary for the survival of the telecom sector,” Adebayo said on a call. “None of us can afford to see this sector collapse.
The inability to recover investments in the telecom industry has made sustainability increasingly difficult. When there is prolonged underinvestment, it becomes virtually impossible to recover.”
While acknowledging the public’s concerns about inflation and the high cost of data, Adebayo stressed that the tariff hike was driven by the urgent need to keep the industry afloat.
He expressed confidence that lawmakers, after fully assessing the situation, would come to understand the necessity of the adjustment.
“The public’s concerns are valid, but this tariff increase is essential for sustaining the sector,” he said.
The NCC announced the tariff hike on January 20, citing rising operational costs and the need to ensure the long-term sustainability of the telecommunications sector.
