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Senate orders communications ministry to review data prices

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The Senate has directed the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy to engage with telecommunications providers to review the recent increase in data prices.

This, the Senate said, was with the view to ensuring that pricing remained fair and affordable for all Nigerians.

The Senate’s resolution was sequel to a motion sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong (APC-Cross River) at plenary in Abuja on Wednesday, March 26, 2025.

Moving the motion, Ekpenyong said telecommunications providers in Nigeria recently increased the cost of data services by 200 per cent.

The senator said: “This move has placed significant financial strain on millions of Nigerians, especially young people who rely on the internet for their livelihood.

“Young Nigerians have embraced the digital economy, leveraging the internet for various income-generating activities, including freelancing and remote work, digital marketing and social media management.”

The lawmaker further stated that fibre-optic internet services remained unaffordable for the average young Nigerian, leaving them dependent on mobile telecommunications companies for internet access.

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“The sudden and substantial increase in data cost threatens their economic survival and limits access to critical digital services,” Ekpenyong said.

In his remarks, Senate President Godswill Akpabio said the motion, when implemented, would assist young entrepreneurs.

Akpabio said the motion would not only enable them to remain in business but ensure they have affordable prices that would also generate revenue and profits for them.

The Senate also resolved to call on the ministry to develop a policy framework for affordable internet services in Nigeria.

The Senate said there was a need for the federal government to establish and support tech hubs across the country, providing free or subsidised internet access to young entrepreneurs, students, and innovators.

The Senate also mandated its Committee on Communications to conduct an investigation into the factors driving the high cost of data and proffer solutions for a sustainable and business-friendly telecommunications sector.

The Star