NLC Rejects 50% Telecom Tariff Hike, Threatens Nationwide Shutdown by March 1

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has condemned the recent 50% tariff hike by telecommunications companies, demanding an immediate reversal to prevent severe consequences.

Despite an agreement with the Federal Government and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), telecom firms have gone ahead with the increase, prompting the NLC to issue a March 1 deadline for a total shutdown of their operations if the tariffs are not rolled back.

To resist the hike, the NLC has directed workers and citizens to:

• Boycott MTN, Airtel, and Glo services daily from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., starting Thursday, February 13, until the end of the month.
• Suspend data purchases from these companies.
• Mobilize and sensitize the public through NLC state councils and affiliate unions.

In a communiqué signed by President Joe Ajaero and General Secretary Emma Ugboaja, the NLC accused telecom firms of betraying trust and disregarding due process by implementing the hike before the agreed-upon review was completed.

The Congress also criticized the government for failing to protect citizens from corporate exploitation and warned against tax policies that could further burden Nigerian workers.

While acknowledging the need for fiscal reforms, the NLC vowed to push for fair and worker-friendly tax policies.

If the tariff hike is not reversed by February 29, 2025, the NLC will begin a nationwide telecom shutdown from March 1. The Congress urged civil society groups and all Nigerians to join the protest against exploitative economic policies.