- The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has sued the Federal Government and the Nigeria Communications Commission over the 50 per cent increase in tariff
- SERAP said the tariff increase infringes on Nigerians’ rights as contained in the Constitution and other international treaties
- It also said the hike is ill-timed and seeks a court injunction to halt its implementation
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has taken President Bola Tinubu’s administration and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to court over what it described as the “arbitrary, unconstitutional, unlawful, unfair, and unreasonable” 50 per cent increase in telecommunications tariff.
In a suit filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja, with suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/111/2025), SERAP argued that the tariff hike is a violation of citizens’ rights to freedom of expression and access to information as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution and international treaties.
This is contained in a statement issued by SERAP on Sunday, January 26, titled, ‘SERAP wants court to stop Tinubu govt, telcos from implementing 50% telecom tariff hike.’
SERAP’s lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, said, “The unilateral decision by the NCC to approve a 50 per cent hike in telecom tariffs is arbitrary, unconstitutional, and unfair.
“This action contravenes both the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act of 2018 and international human rights standards.
“It also reflects a failure to consult key stakeholders, such as the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission.”
SERAP contends that the decision disregards the principle of legality, which requires fairness, reasonableness, and adherence to due process in the exercise of statutory powers.
The lawsuit read, “The NCC’s action undermines citizens’ right to seek, receive, and impart information through communication media without discrimination.”
SERAP asks court to halt tariff hike implementation
In the suit, the organisation also asked the court to nullify the NCC’s 50 per cent tariff hike approval, describing the decision as “extortive, unreasonable, and a breach of due process.”
SERAP, in its prayers, seeks a court injunction to halt the implementation of the hike and a declaration that the tariff hike violates constitutional provisions and international human rights treaties.
The NCC recently approved the tariff hike, which raised the cost of a one-minute call from N11 to N16.5, the price of 1GB of data from N287.5 to N431.25, and SMS charges from N4 to N6.
The hike has sparked widespread criticism with many unions, including the National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers and the Nigeria Labour Congress, threatening legal action and a nationwide protest and boycott of telecommunications services.
Tariff hike is ill-timed – SERAP
SERAP also noted that the increase in tariff is coming at a time Nigerians are grappling with dire economic conditions, worsening living conditions, and heightened inflationary pressures, exacerbated by fuel subsidy removal, electricity tariff subsidy removal, and soaring food prices, as 33.1 million Nigerians face food insecurity by 2025.
SERAP stated, “This tariff hike is happening at a time when Nigerians are grappling with a cost-of-living crisis. Many are struggling to afford basic necessities, let alone higher communication costs.
“The move adds to existing burdens, including fuel subsidy removal, rising electricity tariffs, and soaring food prices.
“Access to communication is not a luxury; it is a fundamental right.
“The government and the NCC have a duty to ensure that telecommunication services remain affordable, especially for the millions of Nigerians living in poverty.”
However, no date has been set for the hearing of the case.
Subscriber groups demand reversal of 50% tariff hike as deadline looms
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that subscriber groups in Nigeria issued an ultimatum to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), demanding the reversal of the 50 per cent tariff increase to a more manageable 10 per cent by Wednesday, January 29.
The National Association of Telecoms Subscribers (NATCOMS) and the Association of Telephone, Cable TV, and Internet Subscribers of Nigeria (ATCIS) also expressed their disapproval of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC’s) planned protests, urging the union to focus on its core responsibility of protecting workers' welfare rather than involving itself in telecoms-related matters.
