Nigerians Called to Boycott Telecom Services
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has strongly condemned the recent 50% increase in telecommunications tariffs implemented by major operators, including MTN, Airtel, and Glo. The NLC is demanding an immediate reversal of the tariff hike and has called on Nigerian workers and citizens to boycott these telecom services daily between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM, starting Thursday, February 13, 2025, until the end of the month.
This action follows an earlier agreement between the NLC, the Federal Government, and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to establish a 10-man committee to deliberate on the proposed tariff increase. The committee was expected to report its findings within two weeks before any final decision on the new telecom tariff structure was made. However, the telecom companies proceeded with the tariff hike before the committee concluded its work, prompting the NLC’s response.
NLC President Joe Ajaero emphasized that if the tariff hike is not reversed by February 29, 2025, the union will initiate a nationwide shutdown of telecom services starting March 1, 2025. He urged civil society groups and all Nigerians to join in protesting against what he described as exploitative economic policies.
In a related development, the House of Representatives has also demanded the suspension of the tariff increase, citing the prevailing economic hardships faced by Nigerians. The lawmakers have called on the NCC and the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, to halt the implementation of the new tariffs.
The NLC’s directive reflects growing public discontent over the tariff increase, which many view as an additional burden amid existing economic challenges.