Court Urged to Block 50% Telecom Tariff Hike By Tinubu Govt, MTN, Glo, Others – Described As ‘Unlawful And Unfair

SERAP contends that the hike—raising call rates to ₦16.5 per minute (from ₦11), 1GB of data to ₦431.25 (from ₦287.5), and SMS charges to ₦6 (from ₦4)—is “arbitrary, unconstitutional, unlawful, unfair, and unreasonable.”

The suit, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja under case number FHC/ABJ/CS/111/2025, challenges the NCC’s decision, claiming it violates citizens’ rights to freedom of expression and access to information, as guaranteed under Nigerian and international law.

Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP’s Deputy Director, stressed that the tariff increase breaches the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act of 2018, the Nigerian Constitution, and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, all of which ensure equal access to communication services.

SERAP’s Demands

SERAP is seeking the following actions from the court:

A declaration that the NCC’s decision to approve the 50% telecom tariff increase is unconstitutional, arbitrary, and unfair, violating Nigerians’ rights to free expression and access to information.
An order to annul the NCC’s approval of the tariff increase announced on January 20, 2025.
An injunction preventing the NCC and telecom companies from enforcing or implementing the tariff hike.
Additional orders as the court deems necessary.

Concerns Raised by SERAP

In its suit, SERAP highlighted several key issues, including:

High Poverty Levels: With 133 million Nigerians classified as multi-dimensionally poor, many are deprived of essential services like clean energy.
Cost of Living Crisis: The ongoing rise in inflation, the removal of fuel subsidies, and soaring food prices have intensified the financial strain on citizens.
Procedural Violations: SERAP claimed the NCC did not consult key stakeholders, such as the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, before approving the tariff increase.