Nigerians, especially in the northern regions, are expressing deep frustration following the Nigerian Communications Commission’s (NCC) recent approval of a 50 percent increase in telecom tariffs. The hike, implemented in January 2025, has significantly raised the cost of mobile data and services, leaving millions struggling to stay connected amid an already difficult economic climate.
For many like Zainab Idris, a single mother and food vendor in Kano, the price surge has hit hard. “I use my phone to take orders and do mobile banking. Now I spend twice as much for half the access,” she lamented. “We’re being punished for being connected.”
The decision, driven by telecom operators grappling with inflation, rising diesel prices, and foreign exchange instability, has pushed the cost of 1GB of data from around ₦300 to over ₦500. This increase comes at a time when over 60 percent of Nigerians live in multidimensional poverty, making it difficult for many to afford essential digital services.
Students like Fatima Yusuf from Bayero University have also felt the impact. “I rely heavily on online research for my final project,” she explained. “Since the price increased, I’ve had to cut down. Sometimes, I go days without internet. How are we supposed to learn like this?”
Telecom providers defend the hike, citing operational pressures and inflation rates exceeding 33 percent. While operators initially sought a 100 percent increase, the NCC settled on 50 percent, describing it as “inevitable for service continuity” and hinting at potential relief packages for vulnerable users.
However, consumer rights groups and civil society organisations have condemned the move. The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the NCC and the Federal Government, calling the hike a violation of citizens’ rights to information, education, and communication. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) also organized protests earlier this year demanding a reversal.
Digital rights activist Fadhila Nurudeen warned that the tariff increase threatens Nigeria’s digital development goals. “The government should be promoting affordable access, not strangling it,” she said. “This hike widens the digital divide, especially between urban and rural populations.”
Small-scale data resellers like Hajara Isah have also been affected, with customers deterred by the new prices. Many Nigerians are now rationing their internet use or reverting to SMS and voice calls, risking exclusion from the growing digital economy.
Experts caution that without urgent intervention, internet access could soon become a luxury in Nigeria, exacerbating inequality and limiting opportunities for millions. The call is growing louder for the government and NCC to reconsider the hike and prioritize affordable connectivity as a fundamental right.