ELFON Leaders rejects New tariffs as Nigerians plans for Nationwide protests against additional telecom burdens
Nigerians are gearing up for nationwide protests over the NCC approval of a 50% increase in telecom tariffs and Police CMR fees
The new rates, set to take effect in February 2025, will raise call costs from N11 to N16.5 per minute, SMS from N4 to N6, and one gigabyte of data to N431.25.
Telecommunication operators like MTN and Airtel had initially pushed for a 100% hike, citing the naira’s devaluation and rising operational expenses.
However, the approval of a reduced 50% increase has still drawn widespread criticism from labour unions, activists, and citizens, who argued it will worsen the country’s economic struggles.
Just like the Emerging Leaders Forum of Nigeria (ELFON), the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has urged Nigerians to reject the new tariffs, warning of an additional burden on households already struggling with inflation and rising costs of living.
The Trade Union Congress (TUC) also criticized the increase, describing it as untimely and damaging to workers’ livelihoods.
Student groups have expressed outrage, highlighting how the hike will limit access to affordable internet for academic research.
The President of Emerging Leaders Forum, Comrade Godstime Chukwubuikem Samuel said “the only language the government understands is protest and they are going to have it.
“Did they really consider students before coming up with this decision or they just feel like everybody is the same?
“We are already pained that students are suffering due to the high cost of living and you still want to add to their problems.
“Every student needs the internet for academic research”.
“We spend a lot of data doing research. Things are already hard and some people are still making it harder.
“Instead of them finding a way to improve the services, they are only interested in taking money from Nigerians. Nigeria police has introduced CMR urging Nigerians to pay between N6,000 to N15,000 to re-register their vehicle information after spending money for same reason at VIO and FRSC offices”, Godstime lamented.
“Sometimes, MTN, Glo and even Airtel will frustrate your life as if they are giving you service for free, yet nobody is talking about that”.
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy to reverse the decision or face mass protests.
Meanwhile, activists, including Omoyele Sowore, Godstime Samuel, Adeleke Olu-Olaifa and Leadership of NANS have begun discussions with labour unions to coordinate nationwide demonstrations.
They met with the NLC leadership yesterday to discuss possible nationwide action against this unjust and backbreaking tarring increase.
ELFON Leader stated that the tariff increase could deepen poverty, limit access to education and disrupt small and medium-sized businesses reliant on affordable communication.
Motorist are being harassed by Nigerian police on daily basis for CMR papers. There is no law that permits Nigeria Police Force to be a revenue collection agency in Nigeria, Godstime Concluded.
Although the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has urged telecom operators to improve network reliability and accessibility as part of the adjustment, stakeholders maintained that the timing of the increase is unjustified.
