The Nigerian Labour Congress said Wednesday, in a statement signed by its National President Joe Ajaero, that it would launch a statewide demonstration against the proposed 50% telephone tariff hike issued by the Nigerian Communications Commission on February 4.
At the NLC’s January 29 National Administrative Council meeting, the decision was made. In a same vein, civil society organizations have promised to back the nationwide demonstration.
Ajaero threatened a nationwide boycott of phone services if the raise was not rolled down.
The Take It Back Movement, the National Civil Society Council of Nigeria, and the Civil Society Legislative and Advocacy Center all endorsed the event, denounced the tariff hike, and promised to take part in the demonstrations.
Despite the telecom operators’ desire for a 100% increase, the Federal Government had only authorized a 50% increase.
The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) responded to the development by rejecting the hike, calling it insensitive, unjustifiable, and a direct attack on Nigerian workers and the general public already facing increasing economic hardship.
Ajaero stated, “After extensive discussions, the following resolutions were reached: NAC-in-session totally rejected the 50 per cent telecom tariff hike which it considers as too harsh for citizens. It therefore strongly condemns the Nigeria Communications Commission’s decision to approve the increase in telecommunications tariffs.
“This decision is insensitive, unjustifiable, and a direct assault on Nigerian workers and the general populace, who are already burdened by worsening economic hardship foisted on them by the policies of the government which was no fault of theirs.”
The Take It Back Movement, the National Civil Society Council of Nigeria, and the Civil Society Legislative and Advocacy Center all endorsed the event, denounced the tariff hike, and promised to take part in the demonstrations.
In addition, Ajaero said, “To express our collective opposition to this arbitrary tariff hike, the NLC will embark on a nationwide mass rally on Tuesday, February 4, 2025.
“The rally will serve as a warning on the dangers of imposing such an unfair increase on a struggling population earning a minimum wage of only N70,000; a population that has suffered outrageous hikes in the price of petrol, high cost of food, hike in electricity tariff and general rising inflation.”
All NLC affiliates were instructed by Ajaero to organize their members for the rally.
“All NLC affiliates and state councils are directed to begin full mobilization in preparation for the February 4, 2025, nationwide protest rally. Willing civil society allies are also encouraged to join the preparation.
“The congress calls on all Nigerian workers, the informal sector, and the general public to stand in solidarity against this unjust policy.”
He urged the Federal Government to conduct talks with interested parties and called for an urgent halt to the 50% tariff increase.
A nationwide boycott of telecommunications services could ensue if this is not done, the labor leader warned.
He said, “NAC-in-session demands an immediate suspension of the 50 per cent tariff hike. It calls on the Federal Government, the Nigeria Communication Commission and the National Assembly to engage in meaningful dialogue with critical stakeholders to review the proposed tariff adjustment within the context of the economic realities facing Nigerians.
“Should these not be heeded, the Nigeria Labour Congress will escalate its actions, including the possibility of a nationwide boycott of telecommunication services and further mass actions which may involve nationwide withdrawal of our service to resist policies that exacerbate poverty and inequality.
“The Nigeria Labour Congress remains committed to protecting the interests of Nigerian workers and citizens against exploitative economic policies. We will not relent in our struggle against policies that undermine the welfare and dignity of our people.
“Nigerian workers and citizens must unite and take action to prevent further economic oppression. We must resist any policy that prioritizes corporate profits over the well-being of the people.”
CISLAC Executive Director Auwal Musa Rafsanjani commented on the planned protest, saying the group will always support the people and “support any action to bring down these prices and reduce the hardship Nigerians are facing.”
He said, “CISLAC will always side with the people, will always support the Nigerian people, as against the multinational corporations that are extorting Nigerians, and their collaborators within the government.
“We will always uphold efforts at ensuring that the welfare of Nigerians and the living conditions of Nigerians improve. Whatever the position the NLC has taken, CISLAC will support any action that is going to help the masses and is going to bring down the prices for Nigerians that are suffering.’’
Damilare Adenola, the Take It Back Movement’s Director of Mobilization, stated that the organization would take part in the demonstrations across the country.
Adenola said,“I can say that we instigated the NLC to take action. So, for us to have done that implies that we are part and parcel of the action. We stand for the reversal of the tariff hike, unequivocally. We are not asking for a reduction.”
Nigerians’ dissatisfaction with the fee hike was demonstrated by organized labor’s announcement of a statewide protest, according to Blessing Akinlosotu, Executive Director of the NCSCN.
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Council office would be picketed by the council, he added.
“We have submitted a letter officially to the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Council office, and we let them understand that from the Civil Society Council that we lead, over 20 different organisations have written to the council to express displeasure over the frivolous and high increment without proper consultation.
“We wrote them officially today, and in the letter, it was there that we will start a protest on Monday. So, I was not even aware of the NLC calling for a protest. But we have notified them officially of picketing their office on Monday morning.
“The economy is not friendly to the poor masses, fuel has been increased, electricity tariff has been increased, which is extremely high on Nigerians. And now, to reach out to loved ones will be extremely difficult. That is the height of suffocation,’’ he said.
The chairman of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria, Tony Emoekpere, questioned the Congress for specifically targeting telecom operators in its protest while price increases in other sectors have largely gone unopposed.
Did we see any protests when the prices of tomatoes, onions, or bread increased? No one took to the streets when transport fares rose due to increasing fuel costs, he said, emphasizing the need for fairness and pointing out that telecom operators have endured significant financial pressures over the years.
Emoekpere emphasized that in order to guarantee that the price increase is accompanied by improvements in service quality, the tariff modification was required.
“This tariff adjustment is not simply an increase; it is intended to coincide with enhancements in service quality.
In order to assist customers, our main focus should be on raising service quality, he clarified, adding that opposition to the raise could jeopardize the sector’s viability and have a detrimental impact on service delivery.
“If the industry is not allowed to thrive, it will be unable to meet the service demands of consumers. Remember, this is a private sector service, not a government agency,” he added.
Although they welcome the tariff increase, the National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers urges the NCC to lower it to 10%.
It started a conversation with the telecom regulator last week, but the discussion came to a standstill.
The association has so stated that it intends to file a legal challenge to the authorized tariff hike.
The NLC’s planned demonstration was rejected by ATCIS National President Sina Bilesanmi, who claimed that the tariff hike of 50% was finalized.
Bilesanmi, who had a significant role in the deliberations that resulted in the decision, pointed out that the rate adjustment came after lengthy conversations between the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, the NCC, and representatives of the telecom sector.
“The 50 per cent hike has been implemented and is here to stay. There’s no need for protest or further action,” he said. “ATCIS was part of the decision-making process, alongside other stakeholders, during meetings held from January 8 to January 13.”
The NLC should concentrate on promoting workers’ welfare rather than getting involved in fights over telecom pricing, Bilesanmi said, expressing concern that the union’s involvement in the issue was misguided.
“This is not their area of concern. They should focus on workers’ welfare. The NCC has engaged the appropriate stakeholders, and we were all part of those meetings.”
He also pointed out that earlier opposition to tariff reductions had hampered industry advancement.