NLC rejects 50% call and data tariff hike, set to boycott telecom services

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed their dissatisfaction over the 50 per cent telecom tariff hike approval by the Nigerian Communications Commission. The labour union urged Nigerians to prepare for a nationwide boycott of telecommunication services in protest against the adjustment.

According to a statement by the President, Joe Ajaero, on Wednesday, NLC described the tariff increase as unjust and a huge burden on Nigerians struggling with economic depression amidst increasing inflation and declining purchasing power.

“The Nigeria Labour Congress expresses its unequivocal condemnation of the Federal Government’s recent approval, through the Nigerian Communications Commission, of a 50% increase in telecommunication tariffs. This decision, coming at a time when Nigerian workers and the masses are grappling with unprecedented economic hardship, is a clear assault on their welfare and an abandonment of the people to corporate fat cats,” he said.

Ajaero stated that while telecommunication services have become a basic necessity, the average Nigerian worker already spends approximately 10 per ecnt of their income on telecom charges.

“For a worker earning the current minimum wage of ₦70,000, this means an increase from ₦7,000 to a staggering ₦10,500 per month or 15 per cent of his salary — a cost that is unsustainable.”

The NLC president also criticised the federal government for fast-tracking the tariff approval within a month while it takes almost 12 months to implement the recently revised N70,000 minimum wage. He noted that the development reveals the government prioritizes corporate interests over the welfare of Nigerians.

“This hike exemplifies the government’s apparent ease in prioritising corporate profits over citizens’ welfare. We must ask: When will the government stand for the people it swore to protect? When will the National Assembly rise to its responsibility and hold the executive accountable for policies that blatantly undermine the welfare of the majority? When will the common man heave a sigh of relief in Nigeria?” Ajaero expressed

He also pointed out that the labour union is not opposed to a tariff review but disagrees with the approved rate of increase. He then called on the government, the NCC and the National Assembly to stop the implementation of the “ill-advised hike to allow a reasonable conversation around it”.

While concluding his address, the NLC President called on all Nigerian workers and masses to reject what he tagged as an “unjustifiable tariff hike”. Ajaero urged Nigerians for collective action with the possibility of a nationwide boycott of telecommunication services, to compel the reversal of this punitive increase.

“We will not allow the people to bear the brunt of policies that further entrench poverty and inequality. Together, we will do our best to resist this injustice and demand that the government prioritises the interests of its citizens over corporate interests,” Ajaero cited.

On Monday, the NCC approved a 50 per cent telecom tariff increase. NCC decisions followed weeks of deliberation on telecoms tariff hike resulting from demands by telecom operators on the need for a 100 per cent tariff increase to maintain sustainability and cover rising operating costs. 

Tariff adjustment – recent trend of reaction

Following the tariff hike approval, there have been several reactions where subscribers associations opposed the development. 

The National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers (NATCOMS) announced plans to contest the decision in Court. In the association’s view, a 5 to 10 per cent hike would have been more reasonable. 

The subscriber’s mouth-piece said the decision to take matters to court was spurred by adequate consultations with key stakeholders including subscribers. 

NATCOMS President, Mr. Deolu Ogunbanjo recommended that telecom operators should explore alternative funding sources like Initial Public Offerings (IPO) for Nigerians to buy shares in their companies as a way of raising funds. “However, a situation where a whole 50 per cent is granted for tariff hike is not cheap and it is a no! no! from us subscribers,” Ogunbajo said.

Another, the Association of Telephone, Cable TV, and Internet Subscribers of Nigeria (ATCIS) had earlier rejected the proposed telecom tariff hike of not more than 60 per cent while it was being deliberated upon. 

While reacting, the Group pointed out that the plan contradicts an earlier agreement reached with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and key stakeholders in a meeting held on January 9, 2025. 

They argued that the January meeting with different telecom stakeholders was that there would be no tariff hike until further deliberations were concluded with mobile network operators and subscriber representatives.

While defending the 50 per cent approval, NCC’s Director of Public Affairs, Reuben Muoka, explained that the adjustment was necessary to address the widening gap between rising operational costs and stagnant tariffs.

He explained that NCC recognises the financial pressures faced by Nigerian households and businesses and remains deeply empathetic to the impact of tariff adjustments. The commission then mandated telecom operators to implement the adjustments transparently and in a manner that is fair to consumers.

Similar Read: 50% Tariff hike: Telecom subscribers to drag NCC to court, push for 10% increase.