NLC directs Nigerian workers to boycott telecom services over tariff hike 

The Labour Union said this was part of the resolutions of its Central Working Committee (CWC), which met in Kogi State on Tuesday.

The Union expressed shock that the telecom operators have started implementing the 50% tariff hike contrary to an agreement it had with the Federal Government.

“As a first step in resisting this arbitrary tariff hike, the CWC has directed that, beginning Thursday, February 13, 2025, Nigerian workers and other willing citizens shall boycott the services of MTN, AIRTEL, and GLO daily between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM until the end of February 2025,” the Union stated.

Suspension of data purchase

In addition to the boycott, the Union also urged all workers to suspend the purchase of Data from the telecom operators, noting that data has become “one of their greatest tools for exploiting Nigerian citizens.”

“The CWC strongly condemns this action by the telecommunications companies, it as a betrayal of trust, an affront to the principles of negotiation, and a direct slap on the government and its institution, and a disdain for Nigerian people.  

“CWC-in-session believes that this is a further demonstration of Regulatory capture and impotence in the midst of corporate onslaught and the continuing abandonment of workers and masses to corporate fat cats by the government,” the Union stated in a communique jointly signed by its President, Joe Ajaero, and General Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja.

The NLC is also demanding the reversal of the tariff increase and insists that the companies revert to the previous tariff until the committee completes its deliberations and reaches a conclusive agreement.

The body threatened that if the telecommunications companies fail to revert to the old tariff by the end of February 2025, it would commence a total shutdown of their operations nationwide from March 1, 2025.

“All NLC State Councils are directed to commence immediate sensitization and mobilization of their members and the general public within their jurisdictions. 

“All NLC Affiliate Unions are requested to mobilize their members across the country to observe electronic silence during the designated hours,” the Union stated.

Naijaonpoint on Tuesday reported that MTN had increased the prices of its data plans as it commenced the implementation of the 50% increase approved for all the telecom operators earlier in January.

While the other mobile operators, Airtel, Globacom, and 9mobile, had not revised their data prices as of Tuesday, they had also started charging N6.00 for text messages, instead of the previous N4-00, which reflects the 50% increase.