Tariff: We Will Shut Down Telecom Operations, Labour Warns

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued an ultimatum to telecommunications companies to either reverse the 50% tariff hike immediately or face a nationwide shutdown of operations starting March 1, 2025.

Starting today, NLC also asked Nigerian workers and citizens to boycott telecom services daily from 11am to 2pm.

The decision was reached during a Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting.

According to a communique signed by the NLC president, Comrade Joe Ajaero and Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja, general secretary, the labour centre condemned the tariff increase as a “betrayal of trust” and a disregard for due process.

READ ALSO: NLC Condemns 50% Data Hike, Calls For Nationwide Boycott

The NLC criticised the telecom firms for proceeding with the hike despite an existing agreement with the federal government and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to delay any decision until a 10-man committee deliberated.

The NLC accused the telecom firms of exploiting Nigerians and disregarding regulatory oversight.

It also criticised the federal government for failing to protect  consumers from corporate excesses, labelling the move as a sign of “regulatory capture” favouring corporate interests over the public good.

In response to the tariff increase, the NLC has outlined a series of measures to resist what it describes as “economic exploitation”.

The labour centre also urged Nigerians to stop purchasing mobile data as a form of economic resistance.

The communique reads, “The CWC demands an immediate reversal of the tariff hike, which took effect today, and insists that the companies revert to the previous tariff until the committee completes its deliberations and reaches a conclusive agreement.

As a first step in resisting this arbitrary tariff hike, the CWC has directed that “Beginning Thursday, February 13, 2025, Nigerian workers and other willing citizens shall boycott the services of MTN, AIRTEL, and GLO daily between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM until the end of February

2025.

“All workers and citizens are urged to suspend the purchase of Data from these companies, which has also become one of their most significant tools for exploiting Nigerian citizens.

“We also demand the repatriation of all funds siphoned out of the  country by these companies. If the telecommunications companies fail to revert to the old tariff by the end of February 2025, a total shutdown of their operations nationwide will commence on March 1, 2025. ”

“All NLC State Councils are directed to commence immediate sensitisation and mobilisation of their members and the general public within their jurisdictions.

“All NLC Affiliate unions are requested to mobilise their members across the country to observe electronic silence during the designated hours.

“We implore all of our civil society allies and other interested stakeholders to join us in making this action effective.”