By Miracle Ogunde
Take It Back Movement, a human rights group, has called on President Bola Tinubu’s administration to immediately reverse the 50% tarrif hike for telecoms, warning that failure to do so would lead to mass protests across the country.
According to the grouo, this decision will significantly impact Nigerians who are already facing increased living costs due to economic challenges
The group revealed this in a joint statement signed by the its national coordinator and spokesperson, Juwon Sanyaolu and Stephen Olabiyi.
“This decision will significantly impact Nigerians who are already facing increased living costs due to economic challenges, and it undermines the progress made in making mobile services more affordable and accessible in Nigeria,” the statement reads.
The TIB highlighted the devastating impact the tariff hike would have on ordinary Nigerians.
“This new tariff risks widening the digital divide and exacerbating economic inequalities across the country,” the statement further noted.
“Nigeria’s growing digital economy and mobile money sector rely on affordable data and telecommunication services, and these higher costs will impede their progress and development,” the group stated.
“The government’s justification that the increase will bridge the gap between operational costs and service delivery is unacceptable. Instead, it is a burden that will be disproportionately borne by Nigerians who can least afford it.
“We demand that the Nigerian Communications Commission reconsiders this decision and seeks alternative solutions to support telecommunications companies without negatively affecting millions of Nigerians,” the statement said.
In addition to its demands, the movement called on Nigerians to join them in resisting the planned tariff hike, describing the proposed policy as unjust and out of touch with the realities faced by ordinary citizens.
“We urge Nigerians to join us in protesting these unjust price hikes and advocating for transparent and inclusive policymaking that reflects the needs and aspirations of our people,” the group said.
The planned tariff hike, which the NCC claims is necessary to bridge the gap between operational costs and service delivery, has sparked outrage among many Nigerians.
Critics argue that the decision comes at a time when citizens are already grappling with increased living costs, driven by economic challenges and inflation.
The Nigeria Labour Congress has also urged Nigerians to prepare for a nationwide boycott of the telecommunication services in protest against the hike.
In a statement by its President, Joe Ajaero, on Wednesday, the NLC condemned the tariff hike, describing it as an unjust burden on citizens already grappling with economic challenges.
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