The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has directed workers and Nigerians to boycott telecom services daily from February 13, 2025, in protest against a 50% tariff hike. The union condemned telcos for violating an agreement with the government and demanded an immediate reversal of the increased rates.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called on workers and the general public to boycott telecommunications services starting Thursday, February 13, 2025, in protest against the recent 50% tariff hike. The boycott will take place daily between 11 AM and 2 PM until the end of February.
This directive was issued following a meeting of the NLC’s Central Working Committee (CWC) in Lokoja, Kogi State. The union expressed strong dissatisfaction with telecom companies for implementing the tariff increase despite an earlier agreement with the federal government and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to delay any changes until a 10-man committee completed negotiations.
According to NLC President Joe Ajaero and Secretary Emmanuel Ugboaja, the decision to increase tariffs before the committee’s report is a betrayal of trust and a sign of regulatory failure. The union insists that telecom operators must reverse the new rates immediately.
In response, NLC has urged Nigerians to boycott major telecom operators, including MTN, Airtel, and Glo, during the designated hours. The union maintains that the protest will continue until the tariff increase is rescinded.
The development comes after MTN reportedly began implementing the new rates, following regulatory approval granted by the NCC on January 20, 2025.
