NLC Directs Workers to Boycott Telecom Services from Thursday Over 50% Tariff Hike

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has directed Nigerian workers and citizens to boycott telecommunications services starting Thursday, February 13, 2025, in protest against the implementation of a 50% increase in telecom tariffs.

The directive, issued in a communiqué signed by NLC President Joe Ajaero and Secretary Emmanuel Ugboaja, follows a meeting of the union’s Central Working Committee (CWC) in Lokoja, Kogi State, where key national issues, including the tariff hike and tax reforms bill, were discussed.

The NLC strongly condemned the tariff increase by mobile network operators, arguing that it violates an earlier agreement reached with the federal government and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). The agreement had mandated a 10-man committee to deliberate on the matter before any price adjustment.

Describing the move as a sign of “regulatory capture,” the CWC accused telecom companies of disregarding due process and prioritizing profit over the interests of Nigerians. The union called for the immediate reversal of the tariff hike and urged telecom providers to revert to the previous pricing structure until the committee reaches a final decision.

As part of its protest strategy, the NLC announced a daily boycott of telecom services between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM from February 13 until the end of the month. The boycott will target major telecom providers, including MTN, Airtel, and Glo.

The implementation of the tariff hike began on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, following approval by the NCC on January 20. The NLC had previously suspended a nationwide protest scheduled for February 4 after last-minute negotiations with the federal government. However, the union now insists that workers and Nigerians take a stand against what it calls an unfair and premature tariff increase.