The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has condemned the 50 percent tariff hike by telecommunications companies, calling for an immediate reversal.
Despite an agreement with the federal government and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), telecom firms have proceeded with the tariff increase, prompting the NLC to issue a March 1, 2025, deadline for a total shutdown of their operations if the tariffs are not rolled back.
To resist the tariff hike, the NLC has directed workers and Nigerians to boycott the services of MTN, AIRTEL, and GLO daily from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm, starting February 13, 2025, until the end of the month.
In a communique signed by the NLC President, Joe Ajaero and General Secretary, Emma Ugboaja, respectively, the NLC accused telecom firms of betraying the trust of their subscribers, and disregarding due process by implementing the tariff hike before the agreed-upon review was completed.
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The union also criticized the federal government for failing to protect Nigerians from corporate exploitation.
The NLC also reviewed the tax reform bills before the National Assembly, warning against the enactment of policies that will add more burden on 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 commence a nationwide telecom shutdown from March 1, 2025.
“The congress urged civil society groups and all Nigerians to join the protest against exploitative economic policies,” the NLC statement said.
