Nigerians are angry about the recent increase in telecom charges, especially people in the North whose businesses depend on mobile services.
Many Nigerians, especially in the northern region, are upset about the sharp rise in telecom costs. The extra cost is hurting businesses and daily life.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) recently approved a 50% increase in telecom tariffs, even though the country is facing serious economic problems.
Zainab Idris, a single mother and food seller in Kano, said she now spends twice as much to stay connected. She uses her phone for taking orders and receiving payments, but the price hike is making it hard for her to cope.
Zainab feels like Nigerians are being punished for needing internet access. She said everything she does depends on mobile data, and the new prices are too high.
The 50% increase, which took effect in January 2025, is making life harder for millions. Telecom companies say they had to raise prices due to inflation, high diesel prices, and unstable foreign exchange rates.
Some Nigerians believe that the NCC is protecting telecom companies instead of the people. They feel the agency is not doing enough to support users.
From students to market traders, people are struggling to afford data. For example, 1GB of data used to cost ₦300 but now costs more than ₦500. This is hard in a country where most people live in poverty.
Fatima Yusuf, a final-year student in Kano, says the increase is affecting her schoolwork. She can’t afford to stay online every day for research and is worried about her final project.
Fatima added that Nigerians are used to managing tough situations, but this internet price hike is different because being connected is now a basic need.
Telecom companies say they’re under pressure due to inflation (above 33%) and rising energy costs. They wanted a 100% price increase but the NCC allowed 50%.
Groups like SERAP are suing the NCC and the government. They say the new charges are unfair and block people’s rights to information and education.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) also organized protests in March, asking the government to cancel the price hike. The NCC said the increase was needed to keep services running but may offer help to vulnerable people.
Fadhila Nurudeen, a digital rights advocate, said the decision makes internet access harder and increases the gap between city and village users.
Even data sellers like Hajara Isah are suffering. She said customers are walking away when they hear the new prices, and her business is slowing down.
Because of the high cost, many people are reducing their internet use or switching back to SMS and phone calls. But in today’s world, so many things happen online, and this could leave many Nigerians behind.
Unless the government steps in, the rising cost of data may turn internet access into a luxury, widening the gap between the rich and the poor in Nigeria’s digital world.
