The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has announced a nationwide protest against the planned 50% increase in telecom service tariffs. The protest will take place on February 4, 2025.
This decision was made during a meeting of the NLC’s National Administrative Council on January 29. NLC President, Joe Ajaero, signed a statement confirming the protest and called on all Nigerian workers and the public to join the rally.
Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have also expressed their support for the protest. Groups such as the Civil Society Legislative and Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), the National Civil Society Council of Nigeria (NCSCN), and the Take It Back Movement have all condemned the tariff hike.
The Federal Government approved a 50% increase in telecom charges, even though telecom operators had requested a 100% hike. However, NLC strongly rejected the increase, calling it unfair and a burden on Nigerians who are already struggling with rising costs of living.
NLC President Joe Ajaero stated that the union considers the price increase “harsh and insensitive.” He warned that if the government refuses to reverse the hike, the NLC might organize a nationwide boycott of telecom services.
“The rally will serve as a warning on the dangers of imposing such an unfair increase on a struggling population earning a minimum wage of only N70,000; a population that has suffered outrageous hikes in the price of petrol, high cost of food, hike in electricity tariff and general rising inflation,” Ajaero said. He urged all NLC members and affiliates to prepare for mass mobilization ahead of the protest.
Ajaero demanded that the Federal Government suspend the 50% hike immediately and hold discussions with relevant stakeholders. If the government fails to act, he warned that the NLC could take stronger action, including a nationwide boycott of telecom services. “The congress calls on all Nigerian workers, the informal sector, and the general public to stand in solidarity against this unjust policy.” he said.
CISLAC’s Executive Director, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, said his group fully supports the protest. “We will always uphold efforts at ensuring that the welfare of Nigerians and the living conditions of Nigerians improve. Whatever the position the NLC has taken, CISLAC will support any action that is going to help the masses and is going to bring down the prices for Nigerians that are suffering,” he said.
The Take It Back Movement’s Director of Mobilisation, Damilare Adenola, also confirmed their participation, saying, “I can say that we instigated the NLC to take action. So, for us to have done that implies that we are part and parcel of the action. We stand for the reversal of the tariff hike, unequivocally. We are not asking for a reduction.”
Similarly, the Executive Director of NCSCN, Blessing Akinlosotu, said their organization had already informed the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Council about their opposition to the tariff hike.
However, telecom companies and their representatives have criticized the planned protest. Tony Emoekpere, Chairman of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria, questioned why NLC is targeting telecom operators.
“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 said.
