The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has announced a nationwide protest on February 4 against the proposed 50% telecom tariff increase approved by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). The decision was reached at the NLC’s National Administrative Council meeting on January 29.
Labour has warned that failure to reverse the hike may lead to a nationwide boycott of telecommunication services. Civil society groups, including the Civil Society Legislative and Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), National Civil Society Council of Nigeria (NCSCN), and the Take It Back Movement, have pledged support for the rally.
NLC President, Joe Ajaero, described the tariff hike as “insensitive and unjustifiable,” adding that it worsens the economic hardship faced by Nigerians. He directed all NLC affiliates to mobilize members for the protest, calling for an immediate suspension of the tariff hike and a dialogue with stakeholders.
Ajaero cautioned that if the demand is ignored, the NLC may escalate actions, including a full-scale boycott of telecom services and further mass demonstrations.
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Meanwhile, telecom operators have criticized the planned protest, arguing that price hikes in other sectors have not attracted similar resistance. The Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria Chairman, Tony Emoekpere, questioned why labour is singling out telecoms, noting that operators have been absorbing financial pressures for years.
