Residents of Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara states have voiced strong concerns over the recent hikes in electricity and telecommunications tariffs, urging the government, service providers, and relevant authorities to urgently address and reduce the rates. The consumers have expressed frustration over the persistent poor service quality despite the increased costs, as reported by the News Agency of Nigeria.
According to Nairametrics, a civil servant in Sokoto, Malam Isma’ila Umar, described the tariff hikes as burdensome, saying that middle-income earners are finding it increasingly difficult to afford basic necessities due to rising costs. He emphasised that electricity and telecommunication services are essential, and the additional expenses have become an unbearable strain. Umar called on the government to take immediate action to ease the financial burden on citizens.
Community activist Mr. Sanusi Sarki lamented the sharp rise in data costs, revealing that his monthly data expenses had surged from N6,000 to N28,000 despite unreliable service. Journalist Suleiman Nasir also criticised the rising telecom tariffs, noting that his usual N3,000 plan now costs N9,000, yet the service remains unreliable.
He highlighted areas in Sokoto metropolis, such as Dambua, Offa Road, and Old Airport Road, where residents receive fewer than 12 hours of electricity per day. Many people have resorted to using generators to meet their power needs. Nasir called for the National Communications Commission (NCC), the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), and KEDCO to reverse the tariff hikes, provide prepaid meters, and ensure fair billing.
In response, the Commissioner for Energy and Petroleum Resources, Alhaji Sanusi Ibrahim, urged KEDCO to improve the power supply, stating that residents should not have to pay for inadequate service. He advised NERC and KEDCO to engage with stakeholders before implementing any tariff increases and focus on improving service delivery to boost revenue. In Gusau, Zamfara state, data and airtime vendor Sufuyanu Dahiru also called for urgent action to reverse the hikes and improve service quality, stating that the current costs do not reflect the poor services being provided.
In Birnin Kebbi, Garba Dalhatu, a Mass Communication student at Umaru Waziri Federal Polytechnic, described the rising cost of living as overwhelming, particularly for students. Many are struggling to pay tuition fees, buy food, and cover electricity and data expenses. Ibrahim Ahmad, a businessman in Argungu, added that high data costs and poor telecom services are undermining the government’s cashless policy and negatively impacting businesses. He also noted that the combination of erratic power supply, high electricity tariffs, and rising fuel prices has forced many rice millers out of business, worsening the economic situation in the region.
