Nigerians are mounting a strong resistance against the controversial 50 percent hike in call and data tariffs, with telecom subscribers and advocacy groups taking legal action after unsuccessful attempts to engage the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), according to reports gathered by YEPS News.
The National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers (NATCOMS) announced on Wednesday its decision to sue the telecom regulator over the tariff increase. The association had initially demanded a reduction of the hike to a more reasonable 10 percent, but the NCC failed to respond.
The tariff adjustment, announced last Monday, marks the first in over a decade and has sparked widespread criticism from organizations such as the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC). These groups argue that the increase further burdens an already struggling economy, disproportionately affecting low-income earners and small businesses battling inflation and economic instability.
Representing 157 million subscribers who rely on affordable telecom services, NATCOMS sent a letter to the NCC on Friday, urging them to reconsider within three working days. However, the regulator did not respond, prompting legal action.
Speaking to YEPS News source, on Tuesday, NATCOMS President Adeolu Ogunbanjo expressed disappointment over the NCC’s silence, stating that consumers are growing increasingly frustrated with the rising costs of telecom services.
“We set a deadline for Tuesday evening. Since we received no response, we are moving forward with our court filing on Wednesday,” Ogunbanjo said.
As of the time of filing this report, the NCC’s Director of Publicity, Reuben Mouka, had yet to respond to inquiries sent via text messages.
NATCOMS’ letter to the NCC highlighted the heavy burden the 50 percent price hike places on subscribers, particularly those in low-income brackets who depend on affordable communication services for their daily activities.
“Our National Secretary confirmed that the NCC had until 11:59 pm Tuesday to respond. They could have issued a statement on their website, which operates round the clock. Since no communication was received, we are left with no choice but to take legal action,” Ogunbanjo added.
The lawsuit is expected to be officially filed on Wednesday, with NATCOMS also releasing its plea letter to the press.
Meanwhile, SERAP has also taken legal action, filing a lawsuit last Friday at the Federal High Court in Abuja against President Bola Tinubu’s administration. The group described the tariff hike as “arbitrary, unconstitutional, unlawful, unfair, and unreasonable.”
In its suit, numbered FHC/ABJ/CS/111/2025, SERAP is asking the court to determine whether the NCC’s decision to approve the tariff hike violates Nigerians’ rights to freedom of expression and access to information.
“The unilateral decision by the NCC to authorize telecom operators to raise tariffs by 50 percent is arbitrary and inconsistent with constitutional guarantees,” SERAP stated in its filing.
The lawsuit also seeks an interim injunction restraining the NCC and its officials from further enforcing the tariff increase.
While telecom operators argue that the price adjustment, set to take effect in February, is necessary to sustain their businesses, many are also planning infrastructure expansion to enhance service delivery. Several major players have outlined plans to invest in network upgrades, broader coverage, and more reliable connections to justify the increased costs to consumers.
Industry analysts, however, caution that simply raising tariffs may not resolve the sector’s deeper challenges. Despite the price hike, telecom companies continue to grapple with volatile exchange rates, which strain their financial models and complicate long-term investments.
Reports gathered by YEPS News indicate that key government agencies and industry stakeholders, including Finance Minister Wale Edun and the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), have backed the tariff adjustment. They argue that the increase is necessary to address the operational challenges faced by telecom operators and have urged improvements in service quality to justify the higher costs.
On Monday, the LCCI issued a statement urging telecom operators to enhance service quality and support the government’s digital automation initiatives. The chamber’s Director-General, Chinyere Almona, emphasized the need for efficiency in operational costs to support businesses and reduce expenses.
“Beyond the price hike, operators and regulators must focus on delivering quality services that drive business efficiency and support government digital automation efforts,” Almona stated.
Defending the hike, Finance Minister Wale Edun highlighted the impact of inflation and rising operational costs over the past 12 years. Speaking at the 2025 World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, last week, Edun described the adjustment as a necessary step to balance sustainability for telecom operators while safeguarding consumer interests.
“We must acknowledge that costs have significantly increased over the last 12 years due to inflation. This adjustment is necessary,” Edun said. He further emphasized the government’s goal of ensuring better telecom services, reducing dropped calls, and improving overall connectivity.
Gbenga Adebayor, Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), told sources last week that many telecom systems are outdated and require urgent upgrades to optimize performance.
“We are actively working on improving service delivery. No telecom operator wants to provide poor-quality service. Every minute of uptime adds to revenue, making it crucial to enhance user experience and satisfaction,” he said.
MTN Nigeria, the country’s largest telecom operator, described the tariff increase as a necessary move to ensure the long-term sustainability of the sector while contributing to Nigeria’s economic growth.
MTN Nigeria CEO Karl Toriola stated, “This adjustment is crucial in addressing the economic challenges facing our industry. It will allow us to continue making critical investments to deliver reliable, high-quality services. We remain committed to supporting Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda.”
Airtel Nigeria’s CEO, Dinesh Balsingh, echoed similar sentiments, stating that the tariff hike was essential for the survival and continued expansion of the telecom sector.
“The adjustment is a balanced approach to maintaining the industry’s sustainability while safeguarding consumer interests. It enables us to invest in infrastructure, expand coverage, and enhance service delivery to meet the evolving needs of our customers,” Balsingh said in a statement.
Despite the controversy, telecom operators insist that the new pricing will enable them to bridge the digital divide and enhance Nigeria’s digital economy. They remain optimistic that the tariff review will create an environment that fosters innovation and sustainable growth in the sector.
“We believe this development will lead to significant improvements in telecom services across Nigeria,” Balsingh added. “Our priority remains providing exceptional customer satisfaction while ensuring the long-term sustainability of the industry.”