The Nigeria Internet Group (NIG) has reacted to the Nigerian Communications Commission’s (NCC) approval of a 50% increase in telecommunications tariffs, demanding that the tariff hike should lead to improved service quality for consumers. NIG President, Destiny Amana, expressed the group’s acknowledgment of the economic realities that led to the tariff adjustment but stressed that it must result in measurable improvements in telecom services.
The current state of telecom services, according to Amana, is far from satisfactory, with poor signal quality, frequent call drops, and unreliable data services becoming common. NIG emphasized that if the public is expected to accept the tariff hike, it should be accompanied by a clear and tangible commitment from telecom operators to upgrade infrastructure and improve service delivery.
The group called on the NCC to ensure that operators reinvest the increased revenue into expanding networks and improving infrastructure, thus enhancing the overall quality of telecom services. Furthermore, NIG advocated for strict monitoring by the NCC to ensure that telecoms meet the established standards of service, including network uptime, signal strength, internet speeds, and customer satisfaction.
Amana also emphasized the importance of protecting consumers from any exploitative pricing practices and ensuring that any cost increases are justified by visible improvements in service quality. Without these improvements, the tariff hike could be perceived as an unjustified burden on Nigerian consumers and businesses.
The NIG reiterated its commitment to supporting a digital economy where Nigerians have access to affordable, reliable, and high-quality internet services and called for the NCC to hold telecom operators accountable for delivering on these commitments.