The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has urged Nigerians to gear up for a nationwide boycott of telecommunication services following the Federal Government’s approval of a 50 percent increase in telecom tariffs. The NLC described the move as unjust and a heavy burden on citizens already grappling with economic hardship.
In a statement on Wednesday, NLC President Joe Ajaero criticized the tariff hike, calling it an assault on workers’ welfare and a sign of misplaced government priorities. “This decision, coming at a time when Nigerian workers and the masses are grappling with unprecedented economic hardship, is a clear assault on their welfare and an abandonment of the people to corporate fat cats,” Ajaero stated.
Rising Costs for Nigerians
Ajaero highlighted the significant impact the tariff increase will have on the average Nigerian worker, who already spends about 10 percent of their income on telecommunication services. With the approved hike, workers earning the minimum wage of ₦70,000 will see their telecom expenses jump from ₦7,000 to ₦10,500 monthly. “This is an unsustainable cost,” he said, adding that telecommunication services are now a basic necessity for daily life.
The NLC president expressed dismay at the government’s speed in approving the tariff increase, noting it took nearly a year to implement the revised minimum wage but only a month to authorize the hike. “This glaring disparity underscores a troubling reality: the government appears more aligned with the interests of wealthy corporations than with the needs of the workers and citizens it is meant to serve,” Ajaero said.
He called on the Federal Government, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), and the National Assembly to halt the implementation of the hike and engage in meaningful dialogue. “If the dialogue agrees on the need for the hike, then we can all seek a more humane increase—not this 50 percent hike,” he added.
Preparing for Collective Action
The NLC is rallying workers and citizens to reject the tariff hike and prepare for collective action, including a potential nationwide boycott of telecom services. “This is for our dignity, our rights, and our survival as a people,” Ajaero said. “Together, we will resist this injustice and demand that the government prioritizes the interests of its citizens over corporate interests.”
Despite public backlash, telecom operators defended the tariff hike, stating it is crucial for the industry’s sustainability and improved service delivery. Gbenga Adebayor, Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), emphasized that the adjustment would address outdated systems and enhance subscriber experiences.
“Our goal is long-term sustainability—no telecom operator wants to provide poor service quality,” Adebayor said. “The price adjustment is expected to bring tangible improvements in user experience and service delivery.”
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FCCPC Calls for Service Improvements
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) acknowledged the financial pressures facing telecom operators but stressed the need for service improvements. The commission stated, “Consumer interests remain paramount. Any increase in telecom tariffs must lead to tangible improvements in the quality of service.”
The FCCPC welcomed new NCC directives requiring telecom operators to make tariffs more transparent by disclosing costs, validity periods, and benefits upfront. It also urged operators to allocate additional revenue from the tariff hike toward infrastructure development and improved service delivery.
“Consumers should no longer have to worry about hidden charges or unexpected costs,” the FCCPC emphasized. It also called for mechanisms to monitor how telecom operators use the additional revenue, ensuring it directly benefits consumers.
Calls for Dialogue Continue
As tensions rise over the tariff hike, the NLC has reiterated its demand for dialogue between the government, telecom operators, and labor groups. “This is not about opposing a review but about fairness,” Ajaero said. “We must ensure that any adjustments are reasonable and do not further impoverish Nigerians.”
The NLC’s call for a telecom boycott highlights the growing frustration of citizens and labor groups over policies perceived as prioritizing corporate profits over public welfare. With Nigerians bracing for the impact of the tariff increase, the coming weeks may see heightened tensions between stakeholders in the telecom sector.