While Nigerians are battling to contain the hardship that the removal of petrol subsidy and depreciation of the Naira had caused, telecom companies are raising cost of data.
Now, Nigeria’s telecom providers are under increasing scrutiny. The Senate has started an investigation into the sharp rise in mobile data costs.
Citing concerns about the impact on the country’s digital economy, lawmakers are questioning whether the reasons given for the price hike, such as rising operational expenses and foreign exchange fluctuations are justified.
Following this directive, Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong (Cross River South) led the charge by highlighting the financial strain caused by a 200% increase in data prices.
Specifically, he stressed that many young Nigerians depend on the internet for their livelihoods, engaging in activities such as freelancing, digital marketing, e-commerce, and content creation.
Causes Of Rise In Telecom Data Cost
In addition to these concerns, the motion criticised the high costs of fibre-optic internet, which most Nigerians cannot afford.
As a result, millions rely on mobile data, which telecom providers continue to make increasingly expensive.
Although these companies claim that rising operational costs and foreign exchange fluctuations justify the price hikes, the Senate rejected these explanations.
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Instead, lawmakers argued that telecom operators shift the financial burden to consumers rather than addressing the root causes.
Moreover, the Senate identified several factors driving high business costs, including poor infrastructure, unreliable power supply, high import duties, multiple taxation, and bureaucratic inefficiencies.
In response, they called for urgent government intervention to guarantee affordable internet access, especially for young people who power Nigeria’s digital economy.
New Bill To Overhaul Identity System
At the same time, the Senate approved a bill to overhaul Nigeria’s identity management system.
Senator Victor Umeh (Anambra Central) introduced the legislation to replace the existing National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act.
Notably, this new policy would establish a unified, efficient system aligned with global standards.
Through these actions, the Senate demonstrated its commitment to protecting consumers and fostering a more inclusive digital future.
