The House of Representatives has called for the suspension of an impending increase in telecommunications tariffs until service quality improves. This decision follows the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance presented by Rep. Obuku Offorji during plenary.

Offorji recalled that during a stakeholders meeting on January 8, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, announced that telecom operators were seeking to raise tariffs, with proposals reaching as high as 100%. Although the minister indicated that the increase would not be that steep, he confirmed that the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) would approve the new rates.

The lawmaker criticized the justification for the hike, which includes rising investment costs and increased demand for digital services. He emphasized that telecommunications companies have been advocating for such increases for the past 11 years, citing economic challenges like inflation and foreign exchange fluctuations.

Opposition to the tariff increase has also come from the National Association of Telecoms Subscribers, which described the proposal as insensitive, especially given the economic hardships faced by consumers. Offorji argued that before any tariff increase, telecom companies must improve their service delivery, which has been a significant concern for Nigerians.

He cautioned that the proposed price hikes would deepen financial struggles for average citizens, threaten the nation’s technological advancement goals, and exacerbate poverty, particularly affecting low-income families. The call for affordable connectivity is seen as crucial for progress in essential sectors such as digital banking, education, healthcare, and e-governance.