The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has filed a lawsuit against the administration of President Bola Tinubu and the Nigerian Communications Commission over what it described as the “arbitrary, unconstitutional, unlawful, unfair, and unreasonable” 50% increase in telecom tariffs.
The NCC recently approved the tariff hike, which raised the cost of a one-minute call from N11 to N16.5, the price of 1GB of data from N287.5 to N431.25, and SMS charges from N4 to N6.
The hike has sparked widespread criticism, with SERAP leading legal opposition to the decision.
In the suit filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja (Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/111/2025), SERAP contends that the tariff hike infringes on citizens’ rights to freedom of expression and access to information as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution and international treaties.
A statement issued on Sunday by SERAP titled, “SERAP wants court to stop Tinubu govt, telcos from implementing 50% telecom tariff hike,” disclosed this.
“The unilateral decision by the NCC to approve a 50% hike in telecom tariffs is arbitrary, unconstitutional, and unfair,.
“This action contravenes both the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act of 2018 and international human rights standards.
“It also reflects a failure to consult key stakeholders, such as the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission,” said SERAP’s lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN.
SERAP argued that the decision disregards the principle of legality, which requires fairness, reasonableness, and adherence to due process in the exercise of statutory powers.
“The NCC’s action undermines citizens’ right to seek, receive, and impart information through communication media without discrimination,” the lawsuit read.
