The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has filed a lawsuit against the administration of President Bola Tinubu and the Nigerian Communications Commission, challenging the recent 50% increase in telecommunication tariffs.
The legal action, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja (Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/111/2025), describes the tariff hike as “arbitrary, unconstitutional, unlawful, and unfair.” The NCC’s decision has drawn widespread criticism, with SERAP leading efforts to reverse the move.
Under the new tariffs, the cost of a one-minute call has risen from N11 to N16.5, 1GB of data from N287.5 to N431.25, and SMS charges from N4 to N6.
In its court filing, SERAP argues that the increase infringes on Nigerians’ rights to freedom of expression and access to information, as guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution and international treaties.
“The unilateral approval of a 50% increase in telecom tariffs by the NCC is unconstitutional and unjust,” said SERAP’s lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN. “This decision violates the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act of 2018 and disregards international human rights standards.”
The organisation also criticized the lack of consultation with key stakeholders, including the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission.
SERAP insists the NCC’s decision fails to meet the principle of legality, which mandates fairness and adherence to due process in regulatory actions.
“This tariff hike undermines citizens’ ability to communicate freely, seek information, and express themselves without discrimination,” the lawsuit states.
The tariff increase comes amid worsening economic conditions in Nigeria, where a recent National Bureau of Statistics report revealed that 133 million citizens are multidimensionally poor.
The report highlights that over half of the population relies on wood, dung, or charcoal for cooking due to rising living costs.
SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare warned of the broader implications of the hike. “Access to communication is a fundamental right, not a luxury. It is the duty of the government and the NCC to ensure telecommunication services remain affordable, especially for Nigerians living in poverty.”
The organisation decried the hike as an added burden on citizens already grappling with the removal of fuel subsidies, rising electricity tariffs, and soaring food prices.
“This increase disproportionately affects millions of Nigerians who are already struggling to make ends meet,” Oluwadare added.
SERAP is asking the court to declare the tariff increase unconstitutional and to issue an injunction halting its implementation.
The group is also seeking a nullification of the NCC’s decision, describing it as “extortive, unreasonable, and a breach of due process.”
Subscriber groups have also reacted strongly, issuing an ultimatum to the NCC to reverse the hike to a 10% increase by January 29, 2025.
No date has been set for the hearing, but legal experts believe the outcome of the case could have significant implications for telecom regulation and consumer rights in Nigeria.
