The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has announced plans to stage a nationwide protest on February 4, 2025, against the proposed 50% hike in telecommunications tariffs approved by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
In a communiqué signed by its National President, Joe Ajaero, the NLC condemned the increase as insensitive and unjustifiable, warning that failure to reverse the decision could lead to a mass boycott of telecommunication services.
The resolution was reached during the NLC’s National Administrative Council (NAC) meeting on January 29, where the union reaffirmed its commitment to resisting policies that further burden Nigerians.
Civil Society Groups Join the Protest
Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), including the Civil Society Legislative and Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), National Civil Society Council of Nigeria (NCSCN), and Take It Back Movement, have pledged their support for the protest. They condemned the tariff hike, arguing that it worsens economic hardship for Nigerians already grappling with rising inflation, high fuel costs, and increased electricity tariffs.
Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, Executive Director of CISLAC, criticized the telecom tariff increase, stating that multinational corporations and their government collaborators are exploiting Nigerians. He assured that CISLAC would support any action that reduces the financial burden on citizens.
Similarly, Damilare Adenola, Director of Mobilization for the Take It Back Movement, confirmed the group’s participation, stressing that the hike should not just be reduced but completely reversed.
Labour Calls for Nationwide Mobilization
The NLC has directed all affiliates and state councils to begin full-scale mobilization for the protest. Ajaero emphasized that the demonstration would serve as a warning to the government, adding that Nigerian workers must resist policies that prioritize corporate profits over public welfare.
“The minimum wage is only N70,000, yet Nigerians are being forced to pay higher prices for fuel, food, electricity, and now telecom services. This is economic suffocation,” Ajaero stated.
He urged the Federal Government, NCC, and National Assembly to immediately suspend the tariff hike and engage stakeholders in discussions. Failure to do so, he warned, could escalate into a mass boycott of telecom services and additional nationwide actions.
Telecom Operators Push Back
Meanwhile, telecommunications companies have criticized the planned protest, arguing that they have absorbed financial pressures for years without passing the burden to consumers.
Tony Emoekpere, Chairman of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), questioned why NLC is targeting telecom operators while similar price hikes in transport, food, and energy sectors have gone unchallenged.
“When the prices of tomatoes, onions, or bread increased, did we see any protests? No one took to the streets when transport fares rose due to increasing fuel costs,” he remarked.
With tensions rising, the February 4 protest is set to be a defining moment in Nigeria’s economic landscape, as labour unions, civil society groups, and citizens push back against policies they deem oppressive.
Discover more from LN247
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
