LAGOS/Nigeria: THE COLLECTIVE MOVEMENT (TCM), a socio-political group, has expressed deep concern over the Federal Government’s proposal to increase telecommunications tariffs, urging it to reconsider the move due to its potential impact on Nigerians already grappling with economic hardship.
The group voiced its position during a virtual meeting of its national leaders on Friday, emphasizing that such a decision would disproportionately affect low-income households and further strain the economy.
In a statement released by the group’s Director of Media, Edwin Nwachukwu, TCM highlighted the critical role of telecom services in connecting people, supporting education, and providing access to essential services. The group warned that a tariff hike could worsen social inequality, saying, “A tariff increase will negatively impact vulnerable populations and widen the digital divide, making it harder for marginalized communities to access telecom services.”
TCM also cautioned that a price hike would contribute to inflation, as telecom services are essential for businesses and individuals. “Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), which heavily rely on telecom services, will face higher operational costs, reduced productivity, and diminished competitiveness,” the statement read.
The group called on the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to prioritize consumer protection and ensure that telecom operators do not impose excessive price increases. It urged the Federal Government to explore alternative revenue streams, such as taxing multinational tech companies or investing in infrastructure to boost economic growth.
Quoting Collins Young, TCM’s National Coordinator, the statement noted that affordable and reliable telecom services are essential for national security. “A tariff hike will undermine the ability of security agencies to communicate and respond effectively to threats. It may also make Nigerian telecom services less competitive, potentially driving businesses and investors to neighboring countries,” Young warned.
The group concluded by urging the government to prioritize the well-being of its citizens and step back from the planned tariff increase, stressing the importance of fair and reasonable policies that benefit all Nigerians.
