The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has urged telecom subscribers to oppose the proposed 50% tariff hike by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in collaboration with telecom operators. Reports indicate that the Federal Government approved the 50% increase after telecom operators initially sought a 100% hike.
This marks the first adjustment in over a decade, with the government justifying it as a measure to revitalize the telecom sector, which contributes about 14% to Nigeria’s economy.
In a statement posted on its X (formerly Twitter) handle, the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) condemned the proposed 50% telecom tariff hike, calling it an excessive burden on Nigerians. The NLC urged citizens to reject the increase, which would see:
- Call costs rise to N16.50 per minute (up from N11)
- SMS charges increase to N6 per message (from N4)
- Data costs soar to N431.25 per GB (up from N287.50)
The NLC President, Joe Ajaero, speaking on Channels Television, emphasized that any tariff hike should involve proper stakeholder engagement to find sustainable solutions that don’t harm Nigerians’ livelihoods. Ajaero questioned the rationale behind the increase, particularly given the telecom sector’s growth, and criticized the timing amidst rising inflation, transportation costs, and overall economic hardship. He warned that the hike would worsen inflation and deepen the economic struggles of millions of Nigerians.
