The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has declared full support for the nationwide protest scheduled by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) against the controversial 50 percent telecom tariff hike. The rights group urged all Nigerians, particularly those struggling to survive under the weight of multiple economic hardships, to take ownership of the protest and resist what it described as an oppressive and exploitative policy.

HURIWA condemned the tariff hike as an anti-people decision orchestrated by a government that appears to prioritize corporate interests over the welfare of its citizens. It stated that the Tinubu administration has continuously demonstrated a lack of commitment to policies that favour the masses, instead favouring economic strategies that benefit a few billionaires and corporate giants.

?This government is increasingly proving to be one designed to serve the interests of big business and profiteers rather than the ordinary Nigerian. It is a government for corporate organizations, controlled by ministers who were allegedly handpicked by billionaires to advance their business empires. Nigerians must realize that this fight is not just for NLC alone; it is a fight for every citizen being crushed by reckless economic policies,? HURIWA stated.

The rights group accused the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) of colluding with telecom operators to exploit subscribers, arguing that there is no transparency in how telecom data and call rates are managed. It raised concerns that the NCC appears to be more of a defender of telecom firms than a regulatory agency protecting consumer rights.

?The NCC is supposed to be a regulatory body, but it has become a shield for telecom companies. There is no accountability in the way telecom firms deduct data, overcharge for services, or fail to deliver quality connectivity. Nigerians are being defrauded daily, and rather than stepping in to enforce consumer rights, the NCC is working to legalize their exploitation by approving this insensitive tariff hike,? HURIWA alleged.

The organization criticized the Tinubu government?s handling of economic policies, arguing that the administration has failed to define a clear approach to governance. It pointed out that Nigeria is supposed to be running a free-market economy where competition drives pricing, but instead, the government is interfering by arbitrarily approving price hikes without consulting consumers.

?If Nigeria claims to be a capitalist economy, then telecom operators should negotiate their pricing directly with their customers based on quality of service. Government should not be imposing price hikes in a supposed free market. This move by the NCC is more akin to communism, where the state dictates economic outcomes, but in this case, it is to the benefit of private corporations at the expense of the masses,? HURIWA said.

HURIWA warned that the tariff hike is not just a financial burden but a direct attack on the freedom of expression, particularly targeting Nigeria?s unemployed youths who depend on social media and online platforms for economic opportunities. It noted that a significant number of Nigerians earn a living through digital platforms, and increasing telecom tariffs will cripple their ability to sustain themselves.

?This is a deliberate attempt to stifle free speech and economic self-reliance among young Nigerians. Many unemployed youths create and post content online as a source of income. By making internet access unaffordable, the government is ensuring that only the wealthy and the elite have the power to communicate and engage in digital opportunities,? HURIWA noted.

The rights group urged Nigerians to actively participate in the February 4 protest, emphasizing that the fight against the telecom tariff hike is a fight against economic enslavement. It also commended civil society groups and legal activists who have already taken steps to challenge the policy in court, expressing hope that the judiciary would uphold the rights of Nigerians and not side with oppression.

?The protest must be seen as a collective struggle for economic justice. Nigerians should not remain passive while their rights are being trampled upon. HURIWA will be fully participating in this protest, and we call on all citizens to rise up and demand their rights. Those who have also gone to court to challenge this tariff hike have taken the right step, and we hope the courts will not disappoint Nigerians by siding with corporate greed,? HURIWA declared.

The group reiterated that the mass mobilization against the tariff hike must be sustained until the government reverses its decision. It cautioned that failure to resist this policy would embolden the administration to introduce more draconian measures that would further impoverish Nigerians.

?This government has shown no empathy for the people. First, they increased fuel prices, then electricity tariffs, and now telecom charges. If Nigerians do not resist this, tomorrow it will be another essential service under attack. We must stand firm and demand accountability,? the group added.

HURIWA concluded by calling on President Bola Tinubu to listen to the voice of the people and immediately suspend the telecom tariff hike. It urged the National Assembly to intervene and ensure that the interests of Nigerian citizens are protected.

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