
On the conversations by the Nigerian Government and telecom companies plans to increase tariff and its implications, by Abubakar M. Kareto
As extensively reported in the media, the federal government has conceded to demands for increased tariffs in the telecommunications sector, which will culminate in higher prices for calls, data, and SMS services for the average Nigerian. Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, announced the development regarding the intended tariff increase during an industry stakeholder forum in Abuja on last week.
Increasing tariffs on telecommunication services amidst rising electricity and gasoline prices will have far-reaching negative consequences for Nigerians, who are already struggling to cope with the escalating cost of living.
The decision’s timing is also misguided, given the current insurgency and banditry, which have had severe economic repercussions, including high illiteracy and economic crisis, particularly in Northern Nigeria. This decision risks further destabilizing the situation, pushing more people into poverty at a time when Nigeria is grappling with significant poverty levels, with around 87 million Nigerians living in poverty, as reported by Intelpoints. It is crucial to recognize that the government’s responsibility is to facilitate the well-being of its citizens.
The right to communicate is a fundamental human right. According to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 19: Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to… seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media…However access to telecommunications services remains vital in attaining this.
I don’t really blame the Teleco for increasing the tariff; their operational costs have increased by over 300% since Tinubu came into power. Again, In the last decade, telecommunications tariffs have stayed unchanged, but inflation has jumped by more than 150 percent over the same period.
They largely rely on imported machines, diesel, electricity, petrol, and others; all these have seen a massive price increase, the mother of which is the devaluation of the Naira. Instead of making efforts that will further reduce the number of internet users, a responsible government should focus on “Bridging the Digital Divide.”
Recently I watched a program in which the US government was bitterly unsettled with a report that shows 7.2 million people lack access to high-speed internet.
Already, the Sub-Saharan Africa is grappling with a severe digital divide, which poses significant challenges to digital development, including the lack of robust digital infrastructure and limited availability of affordable connectivity. Any moves to further curtail internet access in Africa would be at odds with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which aims to leverage digital technologies for socio-economic development.
READ ALSO: Telecom companies to increase tariff soon: FG
Increasing telecommunications connectivity in all communities is widely recognised as a key strategy to narrowing the digital divide. People who did not have access to the internet before can benefit economically and educationally from expanded internet and other telecommunications services availability.
The government knows that in the Information Age, people without access to the Internet are at a disadvantage, for they are unable or less able to connect with others, find and apply for jobs, shop, learn, engage in civic engagement, access health services, and improve general life wellbeing.
With over 60% of its population under the age of 25, Nigeria—sometimes called the “Giant of Africa”—remains vital and critical in efforts to close digital gaps in Africa.
In order to spread more economic growth across the country, Nigeria must prioritise policies that increase access to a reliable, secure, open, and interoperable Internet for all communities and industries.
Abubakar M. Kareto, a Public Affairs Analyst on National and Continental Issues. Phone number: +2347036660009
Email Address: amkareto@gmail.com
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