Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has criticised the Federal Government’s decision to authorise a 50 per cent hike in telecommunications tariffs and threatened to challenge the hike in court if it is not reversed in 48 hours.

According to SERAP, the failure by the Tinubu administration to do so means the government will be charged in court.

“The Tinubu administration and telcos must immediately reverse the unlawful increase in calls and data costs. We’ll see in court if the 50 per cent tariff hike is not reversed within 48 hours,” the body said.

NCC had, on Monday, approved the raising of telecoms tariff by 50 per cent in what shareholders believed was approved in a bid to improve telecom services.

The approved increase was disclosed in a statement signed by NCC Director of Public Affairs, Mr Reuben Muoka. He said: “The adjustment, capped at a maximum of 50 per cent of current tariffs, though lower than the over 100 per cent requested by some network operators, was arrived at taking into account ongoing industry reforms that will positively influence sustainability.

“These adjustments will remain within the tariff bands stipulated in the 2013 NCC Cost Study, and requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis as is the commission’s standard practice for tariff reviews. It will be implemented in strict adherence to the recently issued NCC Guidance on Tariff Simplification, 2024.”

SIMILARLY, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has also criticised the Federal Government’s decision to authorise the hike. The group described it as an unconstitutional and oppressive policy that undermined Nigerians’ fundamental rights and freedoms.

The organisation, in a statement by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, accused the administration of President Bola Tinubu of further impoverishing citizens through a policy that stifled freedom of expression and access to essential communication services.

HURIWA expressed outrage that the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, granted approval for such a steep increase, labelling it a “toxic and wicked authorization” that failed to consider the dire economic realities faced by millions of Nigerians.

According to the group, this tariff hike, set to take effect in February 2025, is among the highest globally and represents a direct attack on young and old Nigerians alike.

“It is becoming clearer by the day that this administration is systematically suppressing the rights of Nigerians.

“The 50 per cent hike in telecoms tariffs is not just an economic assault; it is a calculated attempt to muscle freedom of expression and silence the voices of young Nigerians, who rely on affordable internet and communication services to participate in the national discourse,” the group stated.