NLC Declares Nationwide Protest Over 50% Telecom Tariff Hike, Threatens Service Boycott
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has announced a nationwide protest against the 50% telecom tariff increase approved by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
In a communique signed by NLC President Joe Ajaero on February 4, the union rejected the tariff hike, calling it insensitive and unjustifiable, especially amid the rising cost of living in the country.
The decision was made during the National Administrative Council (NAC) meeting on January 29, where Ajaero warned that if the hike is not reversed, a nationwide boycott of telecommunication services may follow.
Several Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), including the Civil Society Legislative and Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), the National Civil Society Council of Nigeria (NCSCN), and the Take It Back Movement, have pledged their support for the NLC-led protest.
The Federal Government initially approved a 50% tariff increase, though telecom operators had requested a 100% hike. The NLC insists that such an increase is unfair to a population already burdened by fuel price hikes, rising electricity tariffs, and inflation.
Ajaero outlined the NLC’s stance, saying, “The hike is too harsh on Nigerians, who are already struggling. We will not allow policies that prioritize corporate profits over citizens’ well-being.”
He directed all NLC affiliates to mobilize members for the protest and encouraged CSOs to join in resisting the “anti-people policy.”
🔴 Key Demands:
- Immediate suspension of the 50% tariff hike
- Stakeholder dialogue on a fair pricing system
- Government intervention to ease economic burdens
However, telecom companies and subscribers’ associations have criticized the NLC’s stance.
ATCON Chairman, Tony Emoekpere, questioned why telecom operators were being targeted when prices of food, fuel, and transportation have also risen.
The National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers (ATCIS) backed the hike but called for a reduction to 10% instead of 50%. ATCIS President Sina Bilesanmi dismissed the NLC’s protest, saying the hike is finalized after extensive stakeholder discussions.
The stage is set for a nationwide showdown between organized labor and the telecom sector. Will the protest force a reversal, or is the hike here to stay? February 4 will be a defining moment for Nigerian consumers.