The House of Representatives has ordered the suspension of the 50% telecom tariff hike, citing economic hardship. Lawmakers argued the increase would burden Nigerians and impact businesses reliant on affordable connectivity. The NCC and Ministry of Communications have been directed to halt the implementation until service quality improves.
The House of Representatives has called for an immediate suspension of the approved 50% increase in telecom tariffs, citing the worsening economic hardship faced by Nigerians.
The decision came during a plenary session on Tuesday, following a motion sponsored by Oboku Oforji, a PDP lawmaker from Bayelsa. Oforji argued that the tariff hike would further burden struggling citizens, widen inequality, and negatively impact sectors reliant on affordable connectivity, such as banking, education, and small businesses.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) had earlier approved the tariff adjustment—the first since 2013—justifying it as a means for telecom operators to improve infrastructure and service quality. Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, supported the hike, stating that better investment in telecom networks was necessary for national development.
However, Oforji countered that the increase was excessive and detrimental to Nigeria’s digital economy goals. He warned that higher telecom costs would reduce small business profitability and hinder digital access for low-income earners.
Although some lawmakers, like Dominic Okafor from Anambra, supported a moderate increase rather than the full 50%, the House ruled in favor of suspending the tariff hike.
The NCC and the Ministry of Communications have now been directed to halt the implementation until network service quality improves.
