The Nigeria Labour Congress has issued a stern warning to telecommunications companies, demanding they reverse the recent 50% tariff increase and threatening a nationwide shutdown of telecom operations by March 1, 2025, if the hike is not revoked.
The NLC’s stance comes after an agreement with the Federal Government to establish a 10-member committee to review the tariff adjustment, but telecom firms have implemented the price hike despite this arrangement, sparking a backlash from the labor union.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has accused telecom operators of acting in bad faith by implementing new rates before the review process was completed, and in response, the NLC is urging Nigerian workers and citizens to boycott services from major telecom providers, MTN, Airtel, and Glo, daily between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM, from February 13 to the end of the month.
NLC’s Key Demands
Immediate Reversal of Tariff Hike: Telecom companies must revert to previous rates without delay.
Repatriation of Siphoned Funds: The union demands that any funds allegedly moved out of Nigeria by telecom firms be returned.
Nationwide Shutdown of Operations: If the demands are not met by the end of February, the NLC will begin a total shutdown of telecom services across the country starting March 1, 2025.
To intensify pressure, the NLC has directed its State Councils to begin sensitizing workers and mobilizing the public. Affiliate unions have also been instructed to ensure widespread participation in daily electronic silence during the designated hours.
With tensions rising, the coming weeks will be critical in determining whether telecom companies comply with the NLC’s demands or face large-scale disruptions in their operations.
