•‘Increment will worsen poverty, drive more Nigerians into depression’
The Federal Government recently gave a notice of telecommunication tariff hike (call and data). This was disclosed by the Minister of Communication, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani.
In this report, some Nigerians reacted to the said proposed tariff hike.
Tariff hike will further decrease purchasing power of Nigerians – Peter Asema, public servant; Makurdi
The proposed telecommunication tariff hike is indeed a source of concern considering the existing economic challenges faced by Nigerians. The removal of fuel subsidies, and the electricity tariff hikes have already taken a toll on the citizens, and this new hike may exacerbate the situation.
Nigeria is currently grappling with high inflation rate, which has risen to 34.7 per cent by last December. This has significantly reduced the purchasing power of citizens, making it difficult for them to afford basic necessities. The proposed telecommunication hike will likely further decrease their purchasing power, as they will have to allocate more resources to cover the increased costs. So, the federal government should consider the negative impact that this policy will have on the most vulnerable members of society, as it may indeed impoverish them even the more. The government should explore alternative solutions that balance the need for economic reform with the need to protect the welfare of citizens.
Hike will increase burden on subscribers – Joseph Gbagyo, legal practitioner; Makurdi
Telecom services are already subjected to different taxes and adding to them will increase the burden on subscribers. Even though five percent excise duty is said to be part of a broader tax reform initiative that, if passed, would apply to telecom services, including postpaid and prepaid services as a way of additional revenue generation for capital development. However, the government should be mindful of the lingering legal issues, which should be resolved before taking any further steps to implement the tax.
FG should halt tariff increment – Sam Dogitimi, publisher Mangrovepen; Yenagoa
There should be no increment now. Nigerians are already suffering untold hardship occasioned by the unprecedented inflation. The government should rather work on subsidising for mobile phone users. We are already spending much money to buy data. As a blogger, I spend thousands of naira to subscribe my phones and that of my staff. Recently, people make lots of data calls. So increasing tariff would only double or triple our expenditure on data.
Hike in telecoms services not in best interest of consumers – Luka Binniyat, MBF chairman; Kaduna
I don’t believe that it is in the best interest of consumers to have any hike in any of the services offered by telecoms. Even without being officially announced, these service providers have arbitrary ways of charging customers through unsolicited deductions in data.
The minister cannot sit down with telecommunication companies and decide on a new tariff without consultation with Telecoms Consumer Parliament. This “Parliament” was a creation of the NCC in 2002, in which major and ordinary consumers of telecom services sit with the service providers under the supervision of the NCC to iron out issues. But over the years, the NCC seems to have frustrated that initiative and it now allows the telecoms to just have fun. I will call on all telecom consumers to start nationwide peaceful protest against this officially endorsed exploitation.
Tariff increase could widen existing digital divide – Prince Fawaz Muhammad, Speaker, Edo State Youth Parliament; Benin
I must express deep concern over the federal government’s recent announcement of a telecommunication tariff hike for calls and data services. While we recognise the economic challenges the nation faces and the need to explore revenue generation strategies, such a decision risks disproportionately impacting millions of young Nigerians who rely on an affordable communication for education, entrepreneurship, and employment. In a digital era where access to telecommunication services drives innovation and economic participation, increasing tariffs could widen the existing digital divide and hinder the aspirations of our youths.
I urge the federal government to reconsider this policy or at least adopt a phased and inclusive approach that prioritises affordability and access for the most vulnerable Nigerians.
Measures such as subsidised data plans for students, startups, and small businesses could mitigate the adverse effects of this hike.
FG should first address poor services rendered by service providers – Mark Nkworji, public servant; Benin
The minister is interested in hiking the tariff, but he is not bothered about the poor services the telecom companies render to the citizens. Since the beginning of this year, you can hardly make successful calls. The problem is across all networks. You will dial a person, and he or she would hardly hear you, yet, the card will be reading. A nation without consumers’ protection agency is a rogue nation. We are just prey in the hands of service providers.
Timing of tariff hike is wrong – Prince Wiro, rights activist; Port Harcourt
The hike in telecommunication tariff will impact negatively on ordinary Nigerians who are in severe pains already due to the high cost of basic items like food in the country. As you know, most Nigerians with data in their phones can engage in online activities in Facebook, Whatsapp, X-handle, Instagram, etc to keep themselves busy in order not to go into depression. But, with the increase in tariff, it may become difficult for ordinary Nigerians to purchase airtime to do their online activities. In my view, it is a wrong time for the federal government to announce hike in tariff.
FG should reduce tariff- Allwell Ene, journalist; Port Harcourt
It is uncalled for. Why such hike at the time when the masses are suffering? It appears the FG is so insensitive to the plight of the people. I think what should be done is to reduce the tariff rather than hike it. Come to think of it, why consider such action when there are no improved services? Most times, one can’t even make calls or send messages because of faulty or poor network services. Yet, someone is thinking of increasing tariff. That’s wickedness.
Hike will worsen already battered economy – Prof. Edward Ogunleye, lecturer EKSU; Ado-Ekiti
The tariff hike has been expected. All other prices could not have been going up while that of telecommunications would remain stagnant; more so, diesel is used in powering their engines. The hike is going to worsen the already battered economy. Online businesses will certainly find it more difficult to get connected. Conducting research will also become more expensive. POS operators are likely going to raise their commissions. In the end, consumers, especially low income earners will be worse off. The already wide income inequality will be wider. Sadly, more difficult times lie ahead.
Hike increase a bad idea – Oyesiji Arimiyau, civil servant; Ado Ekiti
Increasing telecommunications tariff at these trying times of the nation’s economy is a bad idea. Even now, many people borrow airtime from telecommunication providers. It shows insensitivity of the government to the cry of the proletarians. We are still battling with the resulting effects of hike in petroleum commodities, price hike on food, building, clothing, transportation etc. To this end, the National Assembly should rise against this anti-people move.