Tariff hike: Labour plans telecoms boycott, February 4 protest

The Nigeria Labour Congress on Wednesday declared it would embark on a nationwide protest against the proposed 50 per cent telecom tariff hike announced by the Nigerian Communications Commission on February 4 in a communiqué signed by its National President, Joe Ajaero.

The decision was taken at the National Administrative Council meeting of the NLC on January 29.

Similarly, Civil Society Organisations have pledged their support for the nationwide protest.

Failure to reverse the hike, Ajaero warned, might result in a nationwide boycott of telecommunication services.

Endorsing the rally, the Civil Society Legislative and Advocacy Centre, National Civil Society Council of Nigeria and the Take It Back Movement condemned the tariff hike and assured that they would participate in the protests.

The Federal Government had approved a 50 per cent increase though the telecom operators requested a 100 per cent increase.

In response to the development, the NLC rejected the hike describing it as insensitive, unjustifiable, and a direct assault on Nigerian workers and the general populace already burdened by the worsening economic hardship.

Ajaero said, “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.”

He noted that the union would embark on a nationwide protest on February 4 to warn against the decision of the government.

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.”

Ajaero directed all NLC affiliates to mobilise their members for the rally.

He said, “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 demanded an immediate suspension of the 50 per cent tariff hike, calling on the Federal Government to dialogue with stakeholders.

The labour leader warned that failure to do this might result in a nationwide boycott of telecommunication services.

He stated, “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.”

Commenting on the planned protest, the Executive Director of CISLAC, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, said the organisation will always side with the people and “support any action to bring down these prices and reduce the hardship Nigerians are facing.”

 He added, “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.’’

The Director of Mobilisation for the Take It Back Movement, Damilare Adenola, mentioned that the group would participate in the nationwide protests.

 “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,” Adenola stated.

 The Executive Director of the NCSCN, Blessing Akinlosotu, said the declaration of the nationwide protest by organised labour showed that Nigerians were unhappy with the tariff hike.

He added that the council would picket the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Council office.

“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 complained.

However, the telecommunications companies and subscribers have strongly opposed the NLC over for its planned protest.

Speaking with The PUNCH, the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria Chairman, Tony Emoekpere, questioned the  Congress for singling out telecom operators in its protest, while price hikes in other sectors have gone largely unchallenged.

“When the prices of tomatoes, onions, or bread increased, did we see any protests? No one took to the streets when transport fares rose due to increasing fuel costs,” he remarked.

He stressed the need for fairness, pointing out that telecom operators have absorbed significant financial pressures over the years.

Emoekpere emphasised that the tariff adjustment was necessary to ensure that improvements in service quality accompany the price hike.

“This tariff adjustment is not simply an increase; it is intended to coincide with enhancements in service quality.

Our primary focus should be on improving the quality of service to benefit consumers,” he explained.

He further warned that resistance to the hike could undermine the sector’s sustainability and negatively affect 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.

The National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers supports the tariff hike but calls on the NCC to reduce it to 10 per cent.

Last week, it initiated dialogue with the telecom regulator, but the parley ended in a deadlock.

As a result, the association has expressed its intention to challenge the approved tariff increase in court.

The National President of ATCIS, Sina Bilesanmi, dismissed the NLC’s planned protest, asserting that the 50 per cent tariff hike had been finalised.

As a key participant in the discussions that led to the decision, Bilesanmi noted that the tariff adjustment followed extensive consultations between stakeholders, including the NCC, the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, and telecom industry representatives.

“The 50 per cent hike has been implemented and is here to stay. There’s no need for protest or further action,” he stated. “ATCIS was part of the decision-making process, alongside other stakeholders, during meetings held from January 8 to January 13.”

Bilesanmi expressed concern that the NLC’s involvement in the matter was misplaced, suggesting that the union should focus on advocating for workers’ welfare instead of engaging in disputes over telecom tariffs.

“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 said.

He also pointed out that previous opposition to tariff adjustments had impeded industry progress.

“Where was the NLC when we were battling telcos and former ministers over this issue? Now, after careful deliberations, the decision has been made, and we stand by it. Let’s see what they intend to do next,” he noted.