The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has instructed its members and citizens to avoid using telecommunications services starting from Thursday, February 13, 2025, due to the introduction of a 50% increase in telecom tariffs.
The boycott will run from 11 am to 2 pm every Thursday until the end of February 2025.
This decision was communicated in a statement signed by NLC’s national president, Joe Ajaero, and Secretary Emmanuel Ugboaja, following a meeting of the Central Working Committee in Lokoja, Kogi State. During the meeting, various national issues were discussed, including the telecom tariff hike and tax reforms bill.
The NLC expressed strong disapproval of the unilateral increase in telecom tariffs by mobile network operators, despite an agreement for negotiations with the federal government and the Nigerian Communications Commission.
This move goes against the establishment of a 10-man committee for fair discussions on the matter.
“The CWC received with grave concern the news that telecommunications companies have commenced the implementation of a 50 percent tariff hike today (Tuesday), despite an earlier agreement reached with the Federal Government and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
“It was recalled that a 10-man committee had been constituted to deliberate on the matter within two weeks and report back before any final decision would be made on the new telecom tariff structure.
“The CWC strongly condemns this action by the telecommunications companies, describing it as a betrayal of trust, an affront to the principles of negotiation, and a direct slap on the government and its institutions and a disdain for Nigerian people.
CWC of the NLC described the insistence on the 50 percent telecom tariff hike by telcos as a demonstration of ‘regulatory capture.
“CWC-in-session believes that this is a further demonstration of regulatory capture and impotence in the midst of corporate onslaught and the continuing abandonment of workers and masses to corporate fat cats by the government.
This unwarranted and premature tariff hike demands an immediate response from our collective resolve since the government clearly favours the rich against the people.
“The CWC demands an immediate reversal of the tariff hike, which took effect today, and insists that the companies revert to the previous tariff until the committee completes its deliberations and reaches a conclusive agreement.
“As a first step in resisting this arbitrary tariff hike, the CWC has directed that beginning Thursday, February 13, 2025, Nigerian workers and other willing citizens shall boycott the services of MTN, AIRTEL, and GLO daily between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM until the end of February 2025.”
