Telecom Tariff Tension: SERAP Seizes The Legal Arena To Challenge Government Hike

Telecom Tariff Tension: SERAP Seizes The Legal Arena To Challenge Government Hike

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has initiated a legal battle against President Bola Tinubu’s administration and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) over what it labels..Telecom Tariff Tension: SERAP Seizes The Legal Arena To Challenge Government Hike

as the “arbitrary, unconstitutional, and unfair” 50% hike in telecom tariffs.

Under the new NCC-approved rates, the cost of a one-minute call has risen from N11 to N16.5, 1GB of data now costs N431.25 instead of N287.5, and SMS charges have increased from N4 to N6. The move has been met with widespread criticism, with SERAP leading the charge against the decision.

In a lawsuit filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja (Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/111/2025), SERAP argued that the tariff hike violates citizens’ constitutional rights to freedom of expression and access to information.

In its statement titled “SERAP Wants Court to Stop Tinubu Govt, Telcos from Implementing 50% Telecom Tariff Hike,” the organization described the hike as a breach of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act of 2018 and international human rights standards.

SERAP’s lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN), emphasized the lack of consultation with stakeholders, including the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, and decried the NCC’s failure to adhere to principles of fairness and due process.

The tariff hike comes amid Nigeria’s economic struggles, where a recent report by the National Bureau of Statistics revealed that 133 million Nigerians live in multidimensional poverty.

SERAP stated, “This hike adds to the burden of rising living costs, including the removal of fuel subsidies, increasing electricity tariffs, and soaring food prices. Access to communication is not a luxury; it is a fundamental right.”

The organization seeks a court declaration that the hike is unconstitutional, an injunction to halt its implementation, and a nullification of the NCC’s decision. It emphasized that telecommunications must remain affordable for Nigerians grappling with poverty.

Meanwhile, telecom subscriber groups have given the NCC an ultimatum to reverse the 50% hike by January 29, 2025, or face further opposition.

No date has been set for the court hearing.

For More Information And News Update, Join Ireporteronline WhatsApp Channel With Link Below: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaV4jB6DuMRgwqnJCF32 For advertisement inquiries only, kindly send a message to 09010649814 on Whatsapp