The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has criticized the recent approval by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for telecommunications operators to implement a 50% increase in tariffs.
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) weighed in, emphasizing that the tariff adjustment must lead to clear and measurable improvements in service quality for consumers.
However, the decision has sparked widespread debate among industry stakeholders and consumers alike.
In a statement signed by NLC President Joe Ajaero, the union urged the federal government, NCC, and the National Assembly to halt the tariff increase, calling it “ill-advised” and advocating for broader discussions on the issue.
“The NLC strongly condemns the federal government’s recent approval, through the NCC, of a 50% hike in telecommunications tariffs,” the statement read. “At a time when Nigerian workers and the general populace are facing severe economic hardship, this decision is an attack on their welfare and a blatant prioritization of corporate interests.”
The NLC called on Nigerians to reject the tariff hike, urging them to prepare for collective action, including a potential nationwide boycott of telecommunications services, to pressure the government into reversing the decision.
The union noted that telecommunications services are crucial for communication, work, and access to information, pointing out that the average Nigerian worker already spends about 10% of their income on telecom charges.
“For someone earning the minimum wage of N70,000, this increase means spending N10,500 per month—15% of their salary—on telecom services. This is unsustainable,” the statement added.
The NLC accused the government of prioritizing corporate profits over citizens’ welfare, pointing out that while the tariff hike was approved within a month, it took nearly a year to approve the recent minimum wage increase for workers.
“This decision reflects the government’s disregard for the struggles of workers and its alignment with wealthy corporations, further entrenching poverty and inequality,” the NLC stated.
The union reaffirmed its commitment to defending the interests of Nigerian workers and citizens, vowing to resist policies that exacerbate hardship and inequality.
