The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has strongly condemned the 50% tariff hike implemented by telecommunication companies, calling for an immediate reversal of the increased rates. The NLC, alongside the Federal Government, had previously formed a 10-man committee tasked with reviewing the tariff hike within two weeks and submitting a report before any final decisions were made regarding the new telecom tariff structure.
However, despite this agreement, telecom companies have gone ahead with the increase, prompting the NLC to set a March 1 deadline for a full shutdown of their operations unless the tariffs are reverted.
In a communique signed by President Joe Ajaero and General Secretary Emma Ugboaja after a meeting of the NLC Central Working Committee in Lokoja on Tuesday, the union accused the telecom firms of betraying trust and ignoring due process by implementing the tariff hike before the review by the 10-man committee was completed. The NLC also criticized the government for failing to protect citizens from what it considers corporate exploitation.
As part of its efforts to resist the hike, the NLC has called on Nigerian workers and concerned citizens to boycott services provided by MTN, AIRTEL, and GLO daily between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM from February 13 until the end of February 2025. The union urged people to suspend purchasing data from these companies, which they argue have become tools for exploiting Nigerian consumers. Additionally, the NLC demanded the repatriation of funds allegedly siphoned out of the country by these telecom companies.
“If the telecommunications companies fail to revert to the old tariff by the end of February 2025, a complete shutdown of their operations nationwide will begin from March 1, 2025,” the statement read.
The NLC has directed all its State Councils to begin immediate mobilization and sensitization of members and the public within their regions. The union also called on its Affiliate Unions to encourage their members to observe an electronic silence during the designated boycott hours.
In the same meeting, the NLC also addressed the ongoing discussions regarding the Tax Reform Bills being considered by the government. While the union acknowledged the need for fiscal reforms, it insisted that any new tax policies must be designed to ease the burden on Nigerian workers and not exacerbate the current economic hardship.
