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As part of its mobilization against the planned 50 percent telecom tariff hike, the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has resolved to hold a nationwide anti-telecom tariff hike protest Tuesday, February 4.

Vanguard gathered that the nationwide protest was agreed on at the ongoing National Administrative Council, NAC of NLC

It is aimed at sounding a note of warning to the government that workers would resist the planned hike as it would worsen the poverty level across the country.

Recall that NLC had, on January 22, rejected the 50 percent telecommunication tariffs hike approved by the Federal Government through the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC.

According to NLC, the 50 percent tariffs hike approval, “at a time Nigerian workers and the masses are grappling with unprecedented economic hardship, is a clear assault on their welfare and an abandonment of the people to corporate fat cats.”

… from N70,000 minimum wage
In a statement titled “50% Telecom tariff hike: Another burden too harsh!” NLC’s President, Joe Ajaero, said: “The NLC expresses its unequivocal condemnation of the Federal Government’s recent approval, through the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, of a 50 percent increase in telecommunication tariffs.


“This decision, coming at a time when Nigerian workers and the masses are grappling with unprecedented economic hardship, is a clear assault on their welfare and an abandonment of the people to corporate fat cats.

“Telecommunication services are essential for daily communication, work, and access to information. Yet, an average Nigerian worker already spends approximately 10 percent of their wages on telecom charges.

“For a worker earning the current minimum wage of N70,000, this means an increase from N7,000 to a staggering N10,500 per month or 15 percent of his salary — a cost that is unsustainable.

“This hike exemplifies the government’s apparent ease in prioritizing corporate profits over citizens’ welfare.

“It is shocking that the government approved this 50 percent tariff increase for telecom companies within a month, yet took nearly a year to approve the recent minimum wage for workers, despite the rising cost of living and inflation eroding purchasing power.

“This glaring disparity underscores a troubling reality. The government appears more aligned with the interests of wealthy corporations than with the needs of the workers and citizens it is meant to serve.

“We must ask: ‘when will the government stand for the people it swore to protect?’

“When will the National Assembly rise to its responsibility and hold the executive accountable for policies that blatantly undermine the welfare of the majority? When will the common man heave a sigh of relief in Nigeria?

“We call on the government, the NCC and the National Assembly to stop the implementation of this ill-advised hike to allow a reasonable conversation around the hike.


“If the dialogue agrees on the need for the hike, then we can all seek a more humane increase and definitely not this 50 percent hike.

“The NLC calls on all Nigerian workers and masses to reject this unjustifiable tariff hike.

“We urge citizens to prepare for collective action, including the possibility of a nationwide boycott of telecommunication services, to compel the reversal of this punitive increase.

“This is a fight for our dignity, our rights, and our survival as a people.

“The Nigeria Labour Congress remains resolute in defending the interests of Nigerian workers and the masses. We will not allow the people to bear the brunt of policies that further entrench poverty and inequality.

“Together, we will do our best to resist this injustice and demand that government prioritizes the interests of its citizens over corporate interests.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/01/breaking-nlc-holds-nationwide-anti-telecom-tariff-hike-protest/

Good one
NLC is the only viable opposition to the excesses of this anti people policy of this government.
The opposition parties are missing in action when it matters most.

I'm surprised that some foolish ediot are supporting this senseless hike,even if they are going to increase it 50% at a time is too outrageous in a country where almost every citizens are finding it difficult to survive.

Tinubu come and see, noise everywhere come and double the hike.if Tinubu can take dollar to 5k and fuel 5k all this noise will reduce.

Misdirected action...

Seems the NLC leadership is led by dumb people.

Mama put has increase price more than 250%.

Transport fare has increased more than 200%.

Petrol price increased more than 300%.

I put it to you that anyone going to the street to protest against telecom 50% is an ignoramus.

If you want to protest, you should protest against government naira devaluation and petrol subsidy removal.

If you don't want telecoms to increase their tariff, then compel the government to start paying telecom subsidy to the telecom companies.

Did they protest when mama put increased their prices?

Spot on!!

MasterJayJay:
Seems the NLC leadership is led by dumb people.

Mama put has increase price more than 250%.

Transport fare has increased more than 200%.

Petrol price increased more than 300%.

I put it to you that anyone going to the street to protest against telecom 50% is an ignoramus.

If you want to protest, you should protest against government naira devaluation and petrol subsidy removal.

If you don't want telecoms to increase their tariff, then compel the government to start paying telecom subsidy to the telecom companies.

Did they protest when mama put increased their prices?

Una dey craze

NLC just wants to be bribed nothing else, you were quiet when govt increased energy cost by 800 percent and you want to protest 50 percent increase in Telco tarriff that they need to even just survive