The National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers announced on Wednesday that it intends to take legal action against the telecom regulator, the NCC, over its failure to reduce the recently implemented tariff hike to a more reasonable 10 per cent.
The increase, which was introduced last week Monday, marks the first adjustment in over a decade and has sparked widespread criticism from groups such as the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project m and the Nigeria Labour Congress, who have expressed concerns over the financial strain it may cause.
These groups, including NATCOMS, argue that the tariff hike worsens the already difficult economic situation, placing an undue burden on low-income households and small businesses that are already struggling with inflation and economic instability.
Representing 157 million Nigerians who depend on affordable telecom services, NATCOMS reached out to the NCC on Friday, requesting that the regulator reconsider its position within three working days. However, the NCC did not respond to their appeal.
NATCOMS President, Adeolu Ogunbanjo disclosed on Tuesday that the NCC had failed to respond to their request, leaving consumers increasingly frustrated and disillusioned by the rising cost of telecom services.
Ogunbanjo stated, “We gave them until the end of the day (Tuesday) to respond. Since we have not received any response, we are moving forward with the court process starting tomorrow (Wednesday).”
Ogunbanjo explained that the letter sent to the NCC emphasized the significant burden the 50 percent tariff hike imposes on subscribers, particularly those in lower-income brackets who depend on affordable communication services for their daily needs.
The NATCOMS President said, “Our National Secretary informed us that the NCC has until 11:59 pm today (Tuesday) to respond. They can still reply through their website, which is available 24/7, but with no word from them, we are left with no choice but to proceed with legal action.”
The association is set to proceed with legal action, with the plea letter expected to be released to the press tomorrow.
The NCC, had not replied to the questions sent as at the time of filing this report.
Recall, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project also filed a lawsuit last Friday at the Federal High Court in Abuja against President Bola Tinubu’s government.
The rights group labeled the tariff hike as “arbitrary, unconstitutional, unlawful, unfair, and unreasonable.”
In the suit, numbered FHC/ABJ/CS/111/2025, SERAP is asking the court to determine whether the NCC’s decision to authorise the tariff hike violates Nigerians’ freedom of expression and access to information.
“The unilateral decision by the NCC to authorise telcos to hike telecom tariffs by 50 per cent is arbitrary and inconsistent with constitutional guarantees,” SERAP said in its filing
