Abuja, Nigeria — The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called for an immediate reversal of the recent 50% increase in telecommunication tariffs, warning of a potential nationwide shutdown if their demand is not met.
In a communiqué issued after its Central Working Committee meeting in Lokoja on Tuesday, the NLC, through its President Joe Ajaero and General Secretary Emma Ugboaja, criticized telecom companies for implementing the tariff hike before the completion of the review by a designated 10-man committee.
The union accused the government of failing to shield citizens from corporate exploitation, arguing that the tariff adjustment disproportionately affects low-income Nigerians who rely on telecom services for communication and access to vital information.
To protest the increase, the NLC has called for a daily boycott of telecom services from MTN, Airtel, and Glo between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM, starting February 13 and continuing until the end of the month.
“We urge all workers and Nigerians to halt the purchase of data from these companies, as it has become a major avenue for exploiting citizens,” the NLC stated.
The union also demanded the repatriation of funds allegedly siphoned abroad by telecom operators. Should the tariffs remain unchanged by February 29, the NLC warned of a total shutdown of telecom operations across Nigeria starting March 1, calling on civil society organizations and the general public to unite against what they described as exploitative economic policies.
NCC Cites Rising Costs as Justification for Tariff Hike
In January, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) approved the tariff adjustment, attributing the increase to inflation and foreign exchange challenges impacting operational costs.
The NCC defended the decision, stating that telecom tariffs had remained unchanged since 2013 despite significant economic shifts. The adjustment, it explained, is necessary to sustain service quality and encourage continued investment in telecom infrastructure.
The commission further noted that tariff revisions would be assessed individually under the newly issued NCC Guidance on Tariff Simplification 2024 to ensure fair implementation.
By Taiwo Olatinwo|February 12, 2025
