The Silent Conspiracy: How Nigerian Telecom Giants Are Exploiting the People, by Abdullahi Adamu

Whenever the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) announces an increase in electricity tariffs, Nigerians brace for an even wor...

Whenever the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) announces an increase in electricity tariffs, Nigerians brace for an even worse power supply. Poor generation—caused by incessant national grid collapses—and inadequate transmission by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) continue to plague the sector. Yet, tariffs keep rising.

Now, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) appears to be following the same path, approving hikes in call and data service prices by telecom companies. Meanwhile, Nigerians continue to suffer from poor network quality and unreliable internet services.

It seems these regulatory agencies have forgotten that their primary mandate is to protect consumers and ensure efficient service delivery—not merely to rubber-stamp tariff increases for the companies they regulate. When will they begin holding these service providers accountable instead of burdening citizens with higher costs for declining service quality?

The recent price hikes by telecom companies in Nigeria have not only strained subscribers’ wallets but also appear to have coincided with a further decline in network service quality.

It is frustrating to pay more for a service that consistently fails to meet expectations. Poor network performance affects productivity, hampers communication, and disrupts everyday life.

Despite widespread complaints from Nigerians, there has been no significant improvement in the services offered by telecom providers. The lack of response from regulators like the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is deeply concerning. It is their responsibility to ensure that telecom companies deliver quality services and to protect the interests of consumers.

Nigerians must continue to speak out and demand better service. Regulatory silence in the face of public dissatisfaction only enables further exploitation.

Remember, only through collective action can we bring about positive change.

He can be reached at nasabooyoyo@gmail.com