Tinubu Administration Approves Steep Hike in Telecom Tariffs, Students Bear the Brunt

In a move that is set to increase the financial burden on students, the Tinubu-led government has approved a significant hike in telecom tariffs. As of now, phone calls will cost a whopping ₦18.33 per minute, SMS charges will be ₦6.67, and a 1GB data bundle will set you back by ₦479.17.

This development is expected to have a far-reaching impact on the student community of the University of Abuja. With many students already struggling to make ends meet, the increased cost of staying connected with friends, family, and classmates will only add to their financial woes.

The telecom sector has been facing significant financial challenges, with major operators like MTN Nigeria and Airtel reporting significant losses in 2023 and 2024. While the tariff increase is intended to help the sector remain sustainable and encourage investment in infrastructure, it is clear that students will bear the brunt of this decision.

As the University of Abuja student community grapples with the implications of this tariff hike, one thing is certain - the days of affordable communication are behind us. Whether the students will be able to adapt to this new reality remains to be seen.