NLC Rejects 50% Telecom Hike, Threatens Nationwide Boycott 

The organised labour will on Monday (today) commence nationwide protests over the electricity tariff hike and removal of subsidy from the power sector by the Federal Government.

Abuja, Nigeria —  The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has strongly criticized the federal government’s approval of a 50% increase in telecommunication tariffs, describing it as an oppressive measure that burdens Nigerian workers and citizens. 

In a statement issued yesterday by NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, the union denounced the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC)’s decision as an “unjust attack” on citizens’ welfare and a betrayal of trust in favor of corporate interests.

Comrade Ajaero expressed concern over the impact of the tariff hike, particularly on low-income earners, who are already grappling with rising inflation and economic hardship. He noted that an average Nigerian on the N70,000 minimum wage would now spend approximately N10,500 monthly on telecom services, up from N7,000—a sharp increase that accounts for 15% of their income.

“This increase is unsustainable and unfair under the current economic conditions,” Ajaero declared, emphasizing the disproportionate effect on the most vulnerable in society.

The NLC further criticized the government’s expedited approval of the telecom hike, contrasting it with the prolonged implementation of the new minimum wage, which took nearly a year despite worsening economic pressures. This disparity, according to the congress, reflects a troubling prioritization of corporate profits over the well-being of Nigerian citizens.

While the NLC acknowledged that periodic tariff reviews might be necessary, it argued that a 50% increase was excessive and insensitive. The congress called for an immediate suspension of the hike and urged the federal government, NCC, and the National Assembly to engage in dialogue to find a more equitable solution.

“The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) expresses its unequivocal condemnation of the federal government’s recent approval of a 50% increase in telecommunication tariffs. This hike exemplifies the government’s disturbing tendency to prioritize corporate gains over the welfare of its citizens,” the statement read.

Ajaero questioned the government’s commitment to protecting its people, saying, “When will the government defend the interests of the people it swore to serve? When will the National Assembly hold the executive accountable for policies that undermine the well-being of the majority? When will the common Nigerian finally get a reprieve?”

The NLC urged Nigerians to resist the tariff increase and prepare for collective action, including the possibility of a nationwide boycott of telecommunication services, to demand a reversal of the policy.

“This is not just about telecom tariffs,” Ajaero concluded. “This is about our dignity, our rights, and our survival as a people. We must act together to protect them.”

 

By Enoch Odesola| January 23, 2025


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