The National Association of Nigerian Students, (NANS), has condemned the recently approved 50% increment in telecommunications tariffs by the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) and the Ministry of Communications, Digital Economy, describing it as not only abnormal but inconsiderate and unjustifiable.
In an issued statement yesterday, signed by the Clerk of its Senate, National Headquarters, Comrade Oladimeji Uthman, warned the NCC and the Ministry of Communications, Digital Economy to review the increment within 72 hours or risk a nationwide protest by over 40 million Nigerian students already going through untold hardships occasioned by rising inflation.
Comrade Uthman stated further: “This decision is not only abnormal but also highly inconsiderate and unjustifiable, especially in the current socio-economic climate that has placed an unbearable burden on Nigerian students and citizens.
“In an era where digital connectivity has become indispensable to education and daily life, such a steep increment will have far-reaching consequences for students. The proposed hike will escalate the cost of internet data and other telecommunication services, which are critical tools for learning, research, and academic activities.
“The harsh realities of Nigeria’s economic situation – marked by rising tuition fees, expensive transportation, increased accommodation costs, and general inflation -already weigh heavily on the shoulders of students and their families”.
NANS emphasised that adding a 50% tariff increment to these challenges amounts to an outright disregard for the welfare and progress of Nigerian students, saying that the association had over the year been at the forefront for affordable and inclusive access to digital infrastructure as a way to bridge the educational gap in Nigeria.
It stated that the NCC’s decision, if implemented, will further exacerbate the digital divide, excluding millions of students from accessing quality education and information as it raised concerns that the policy undermines the government’s commitment to youth development, innovation, and the digital economy agenda.
Considering the challenges faced by the telecommunications industry, including inflation and operational costs, NANS cautioned that the burden of these challenges should not be transferred to the masses, especially Nigerian students and urged the NCC and the Ministry of Digital Economy to explore alternative measures to address these issues without jeopardizing the affordability and accessibility of telecommunications services.
“As the umbrella body of Nigerian students, NANS cannot sit idly by while policies detrimental to the collective interest of over 40 million Nigerian students are implemented without due consideration.
“We hereby issue a 72-hour ultimatum to the NCC to review this tariff increment and take decisive steps toward its reversal. Failure to heed this call will leave NANS with no other choice but to embark on a nationwide mass protest to demand justice and fairness for Nigerian students. We are prepared to mobilise all student leaders, unions, and organisations across the 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory to peacefully demonstrate against this decision”, said the statement.
It warned that the planned protests will not only demand the reversal of the tariff increment but also advocate for broader consultations with stakeholders before any future policies affecting the public are implemented, saying it remained committed to peaceful advocacy and dialogue as a means of resolving issues but with limited patience.
