…Accuses FG of Breaching Agreement on Tariff Hike Reversal
…Threatens Nationwide Shutdown of Telecom Operators
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has declared a nationwide protest against telecommunications giants MTN, Airtel, and Glo over the recent hike in call and data tariffs, directing Nigerians to boycott their services daily between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM until February 29, 2025.
The directive, issued after the NLC’s Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting in Lokoja, Kogi State, on Tuesday, follows what the union describes as a breach of trust by the Federal Government and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for allowing a 50% tariff increase despite an earlier agreement to halt the hike.
NLC President, Joe Ajaero, and Secretary-General, Emmanuel Ugboaja, in a communique, condemned the move, warning that if the telcos fail to reverse the increase by the end of February, organized labour will shut down their operations nationwide from March 1, 2025.
“A Betrayal of Trust”
Ajaero criticized the decision of telecom companies to proceed with the tariff increase, recalling that a 10-man committee was set up to deliberate on the matter before any adjustments could be made.
“The CWC strongly condemns this action by the telecommunications companies. It is a betrayal of trust, an affront to the principles of negotiation, and a slap in the face of the Nigerian people. This premature tariff hike shows clear regulatory failure and government indifference to the suffering of the masses,” Ajaero stated.
He argued that the tariff increment further enriches corporate entities at the expense of workers and ordinary citizens, stressing that Nigerians must resist exploitation.
Resolutions and Next Steps
The NLC outlined several actions in response to the tariff hike:
Immediate Reversal: The union demands an immediate rollback of the increased charges, insisting that telcos revert to the old tariff structure while negotiations continue.
Daily Boycott: Starting Thursday, February 13, 2025, workers and citizens are to avoid using MTN, Airtel, and Glo services daily from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM as a form of protest.
Data Purchase Suspension: Nigerians are urged to stop purchasing data from these companies, which the NLC claims have turned into a tool for exploitation.
Funds Repatriation: The union demands that all funds allegedly siphoned abroad by the telcos be returned to Nigeria.
Total Shutdown from March 1: If the old tariff is not restored by February 29, 2025, a full-scale shutdown of telecom operations will commence nationwide.
Mobilization Begins Nationwide
All NLC state councils and affiliate unions have been directed to begin sensitization and mobilization for the planned actions. The congress also called on civil society organizations and other stakeholders to join the struggle against what it describes as exploitative economic policies.
Tax Reforms and CNG Bus Rollout
Beyond the telecom issue, the NLC also addressed the proposed Tax Reform Bills, insisting that any tax policy must ease the financial burden on workers rather than worsen economic hardship.
“The NLC will engage the government to ensure that tax policies are fair, equitable, and worker-friendly,” the communique stated.
On the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) bus rollout in North-Central Nigeria, the labour body emphasized the need for a transparent and effective implementation that prioritizes the welfare of Nigerians.
Final Call for Action
The NLC reaffirmed its commitment to protecting workers and citizens from economic exploitation, urging Nigerians to stand together in the fight for fair telecom tariffs, just taxation, and better transportation policies.
With the battle line drawn, all eyes are now on telecom operators and the government to see whether they w
ill respond before the March 1 ultimatum expires.
