The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a stern warning to telecommunications companies, demanding an immediate reversal of the recently imposed tariff hike. If the companies fail to comply by the end of February 2025, the NLC plans to mobilize workers to shut down telecom operations nationwide, beginning March 1, 2025.
The NLC’s stance follows the Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting held in Lokoja, Kogi State, where the union discussed their strategy to resist what it calls an arbitrary tariff increase. According to the NLC, the price hike, which took effect on February 13, 2025, is an exploitation of Nigerian citizens and workers, and they are determined to oppose it by any means necessary.
A communique signed by NLC president Joe Ajaero and General Secretary Emmanuel Ugboaja confirmed that, as the first step in their resistance, Nigerian workers and citizens will begin boycotting the services of MTN, AIRTEL, and GLO. The boycott will run daily from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM until the end of February 2025.
The NLC’s communique stated, “We call for the immediate reversal of the tariff hike and demand that these companies stop exploiting Nigerians. We also demand the repatriation of funds that have been siphoned out of the country.”
The NLC has directed its State Councils to immediately begin sensitizing and mobilizing members and the public about the boycott. Workers are urged to suspend purchasing data from these telecom companies during the designated hours.
If the tariff hike is not reversed by the end of February 2025, the NLC plans to escalate their protest, shutting down telecommunications services nationwide on March 1, 2025.
In addition to the telecom issue, the NLC addressed the ongoing discussions surrounding Nigeria’s tax reform bills. While acknowledging the need for fiscal reforms, the NLC insists that tax policies must ease the burden on Nigerian workers, rather than exacerbate the existing economic challenges. The Congress has vowed to engage with relevant authorities to ensure that any tax reforms are fair and worker-friendly.