The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has vehemently opposed the recent approval by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to increase telecommunications tariffs by 50%, the first such hike in over a decade. The union has branded this move as “insensitive” and “unjustifiable” in light of the ongoing economic difficulties that Nigerians are enduring. In response, the NLC has announced plans for a nationwide protest set for February 4, 2025. Additionally, the union is considering a potential boycott of telecom services and strike actions if the government fails to engage in meaningful discussions to address the issue.
NLC President Joe Ajaero has emphasized that the upcoming protest will serve as a warning against the government’s decision to impose such a burdensome increase on a struggling population. He pointed out that Nigerians are already dealing with the consequences of high inflation, rising food prices, and an escalating cost of living. Adding a 50% increase to telecom tariffs, which are essential for communication and business activities, would further strain already stretched budgets. Ajaero urged the government to reconsider the hike and take the welfare of ordinary Nigerians into account before moving forward with its implementation.
The NLC’s position mirrors the widespread public outcry that has followed the announcement of the tariff increase. Many Nigerians are deeply concerned about the affordability of essential services, particularly in a time when economic hardship has become a daily reality for many households. The union’s call for a nationwide protest underscores its commitment to representing the interests of Nigerian workers and the broader populace, and its insistence that the government must address their grievances. With the protest set to take place in just a few days, all eyes will be on the government’s response, and the potential impact the NLC’s actions will have on both the telecommunications sector and Nigeria’s economy as a whole.
