Nigeria’s main labour union, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has rejected the government’s approval of a 50% increase in telecommunications tariffs and announced a nationwide protest set for February 4.
The tariff hike, the first in over a decade, was approved by the telecom regulator last week, citing rising operational costs due to high inflation and currency devaluation. However, NLC leaders have condemned the move as “insensitive and unjustifiable,” arguing that it worsens the already severe cost-of-living crisis caused by President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms.
NLC President Joe Ajaero stated that the planned protest is a warning against imposing additional financial burdens on struggling citizens already facing surging food, fuel, and electricity prices. The union has demanded an immediate suspension of the tariff increase and called for dialogue between the government, regulators, and labour leaders.
Ajaero also warned of a potential nationwide boycott of telecom services and a possible strike if authorities fail to engage in discussions.
The NLC, which represents millions of workers, has frequently clashed with the government over economic policies that it claims deepen poverty, though officials insist the measures are necessary for economic stability.