Organised labour has vowed to shutdown telecommunications companies if the 50% tariff hike on services is not reversed by the end of February.
The Trade Union Congress (TUC) plans to decide on its next move at its NEC meeting. At the same time, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called on Nigerian workers and citizens to boycott major telecom providers.
The NLC urged Nigerians to avoid using MTN, Airtel, and Glo services daily between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM starting Thursday, February 13. After the Central Working Committee meeting, NLC President Joe Ajaero announced this in Lokoja, Kogi State, alongside General Secretary Emmanuel Ugboaja.
“If telecom companies do not revert to the old tariff by February 2025, we will shut down their operations nationwide starting March 1, 2025,” the Congress declared.
On Tuesday, MTN began implementing the NCC-approved tariff hike, with other operators expected to follow. However, the House of Representatives had earlier directed the telecom regulator and the Minister of Communications to halt the increase due to concerns over inflation and economic hardship.
Checks confirmed that MTN has not reversed the 50% hike, as its data plans still reflect the increase.
NLC President Ajaero condemned the sudden tariff hike as a betrayal of trust, emphasizing that telecom firms acted before a committee—set up to review tariff adjustments—had finalized its report.
“The premature hike disregards due process and shows favouritism towards the wealthy while neglecting the masses,” the NLC stated. It demanded an immediate rollback of the new rates and insisted that prices remain unchanged until the committee completes its review.
“As an initial response, the CWC has directed Nigerian workers and citizens to begin a telecom boycott starting February 13, 2025,” it added.
Labour also urged civil society groups, students, and the public to join the protest against economic hardship.
“This fight is about more than just tariffs—it’s about protecting Nigerians from corporate greed and government indifference,” the NLC concluded.
