The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has urged Nigerians to prepare for a nationwide boycott of telecommunication services in response to the Federal Government’s recent approval of a 50% increase in telecom tariffs.
NLC President Joe Ajaero condemned the tariff hike, describing it as a grave injustice to citizens already grappling with economic hardship. He highlighted the timing of the increase, which coincides with rising inflation and declining purchasing power, noting that the average Nigerian worker spends approximately 10% of their income on telecom charges.
Ajaero stated, “This decision is a clear assault on their welfare and an abandonment of the people to corporate fat cats.” He criticized the government for swiftly approving the tariff hike within a month while taking nearly a year to implement the recently revised minimum wage.
He called on the government and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to halt the implementation of the increase and engage in a reasonable dialogue around it. The NLC emphasized that while they are not opposed to a tariff review, the approved rate is unsustainable.
The union is mobilising citizens for collective action, warning that if the tariff hike is not reversed, a mass boycott of telecommunication services will be initiated. Ajaero stressed, “This is for our dignity, our rights, and our survival as a people.”
In response, telecommunication companies insist that the tariff increase is essential for the long-term sustainability of the sector and improving services for subscribers. The Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) stated that the implementation of the hike is set to proceed as scheduled.
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has urged telecom operators to improve service quality alongside the tariff increase, emphasizing that any new charges must lead to tangible enhancements in service delivery.
As tensions rise between the NLC and telecom operators, the outcome of this situation remains to be seen, with both sides standing firm in their positions.