The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has announced that it will begin a nationwide strike on March 1, 2025, if telecommunications companies do not revert to the old tariff structure.
The decision follows concerns over a recent 50 per cent increase in telecom charges, which the NLC insists was implemented without due process.
During its Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting in Lokoja, Kogi State, on Thursday, the NLC criticised the tariff hike, stating that no changes should have been made until ongoing negotiations with the government were concluded. It condemned the move as a violation of trust and a disregard for the agreement between stakeholders.
“The CWC received with grave concern the news that telecommunications companies have commenced the implementation of a 50 per cent tariff hike today, despite an earlier agreement reached with the Nigerian government and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
It was recalled that a 10-man committee had been constituted to deliberate on the matter within two weeks and report back before any final decision would be made on the new telecom tariff structure,” the statement read.
As part of its immediate response, the NLC called for a boycott of major telecom operators, including MTN, Glo, and Airtel, starting February 13, 2025. It also demanded the return of funds allegedly 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 from March 1, 2025,” the union warned.
The National Association of Telecoms Subscribers of Nigeria (NATCOMs) has also voiced opposition to the tariff hike, calling for sanctions on telecom providers.
NATCOMs President, Deolu Ogunbanjo, accused operators of violating an agreement to allow a 10-man committee to review the increase before any implementation.
“Subscribers are even complaining that what they saw was a 200 per cent and not a 50 per cent hike,” Ogunbanjo said, urging the NCC to clarify what was approved.
Meanwhile, telecoms lawyer Ayoola Oke called on President Bola Tinubu to suspend the tariff increase, arguing that MTN is using its market dominance to dictate industry prices.
He claimed that MTN now controls over 51 per cent of the market, describing this as a result of anti-competitive practices.
