SERAP Sues Tinubu Administration and NCC Over Telecom Tariff Hike
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has initiated legal action against the administration of President Bola Tinubu and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in response to what it describes as an “arbitrary, unconstitutional, unlawful, unfair, and unreasonable” 50% increase in telecom tariffs.
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. This decision has triggered widespread backlash, with SERAP leading the legal challenge against the move.
In the lawsuit filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja (Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/111/2025), SERAP argues that the tariff increase violates citizens’ rights to freedom of expression and access to information as outlined in both the Nigerian Constitution and international treaties.
A statement released on Sunday by SERAP, titled “SERAP Seeks Court to Stop Tinubu Government, Telcos from Implementing 50% Telecom Tariff Hike,” revealed the details of the legal challenge.
“The unilateral decision by the NCC to approve a 50% hike in telecom tariffs is arbitrary, unconstitutional, and unfair,” said Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN, SERAP’s lawyer. “This action violates the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act of 2018, as well as international human rights standards.”
SERAP further argued that the decision was made without proper consultation with key stakeholders, including the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission. The organization highlighted that the tariff hike disregards the principle of legality, which mandates fairness, reasonableness, and adherence to due process.
“The NCC’s action undermines citizens’ right to seek, receive, and impart information through communication media without discrimination,” the lawsuit states.
The tariff hike comes amidst Nigeria’s ongoing economic challenges, with a report from the National Bureau of Statistics revealing that 133 million Nigerians are multidimensionally poor. The report pointed out deteriorating living conditions, including the fact that more than half of the population relies on wood, dung, or charcoal for cooking.
SERAP added, “This tariff hike is happening at a time when Nigerians are already grappling with a cost-of-living crisis. Many are struggling to afford basic necessities, much less the increased communication costs. The move compounds existing financial pressures, such as the removal of fuel subsidies, rising electricity tariffs, and skyrocketing food prices.”
In its prayers, SERAP seeks a court declaration that the tariff hike is unconstitutional and a violation of international human rights treaties. The group is also requesting an injunction to halt the implementation of the increase and asks the court to annul the NCC’s decision, calling it “extortive, unreasonable, and a breach of due process.”
SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, emphasized the broader implications of the tariff hike, stating, “Access to communication is not a luxury; it is a fundamental right.”
The statement concluded, “The government and the NCC have a duty to ensure that telecommunication services remain affordable, especially for the millions of Nigerians living in poverty.”
As of now, no date has been set for the hearing of the case, which could have significant consequences for telecom regulation in Nigeria.