The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has announced a directive for Nigerian workers and citizens to boycott the services of major telecommunications providers—MTN, Airtel, and Glo—daily between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM, starting Thursday, February 13, 2025. This action is in response to a recent 50% increase in telecom tariffs, which the NLC describes as arbitrary and exploitative.
The NLC is demanding an immediate reversal of the tariff hike and insists that the companies revert to the previous rates until a conclusive agreement is reached. If the telecommunications companies fail to revert to the old tariff by the end of February 2025, the NLC has warned of a total shutdown of their operations nationwide commencing from March 1, 2025.
The Congress has also directed all its state councils to commence immediate sensitization and mobilization of their members and the general public within their jurisdictions. Affiliate unions are requested to mobilize their members across the country to observe electronic silence during the designated hours.
This move comes after telecom firms implemented the tariff increase despite an earlier agreement to deliberate on the hike within a two-week period before any final decision was made. The NLC views this action as a betrayal of trust and a disregard for due process.
The NLC is also calling for the repatriation of all funds siphoned out of the country by these companies. It has urged civil society groups and all Nigerians to join the protest against exploitative economic policies.
In addition, the NLC reviewed ongoing tax reform bills and criticized the government’s fiscal policies, warning against measures that could further strain workers. While acknowledging the need for reforms, the Congress pledged to push for policies that do not impose additional financial burdens on already struggling Nigerians.
The NLC’s actions reflect its commitment to protecting Nigerian workers and citizens from what it perceives as unjust economic practices by major telecommunications companies.
