NLC Criticizes Govt for Backing Telcos Amid 50% Tariff Hike, Neglecting Nigerians

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has accused the Federal Government of prioritizing revenue generation over citizens’ welfare by supporting a 50% hike in telecommunications tariffs announced by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). The tariff increase, the first in 11 years, will see MTN, Airtel, Glo, and 9mobile raise charges for calls and messages, citing inflation and a 300% rise in operational costs. The move has sparked widespread criticism, with the NLC threatening protests. Speaking on Arise TV, NLC President Joe Ajaero condemned the government for aligning with telecom companies, ignoring its regulatory duty, and exacerbating the hardships faced by Nigerians struggling with rising living costs. “These corporations’ profit while Nigerians sink deeper into poverty,” Ajaero said, noting that the government seems more focused on collecting taxes than protecting citizens. He criticized the disproportionate impact on low-income earners, many of whom already face challenges covering basic needs like transportation and housing. Ajaero also called out the government for relying on imported telecom and power equipment, advocating for local production to reduce costs and ease the burden on consumers. The NLC has warned of possible collective action, including a nationwide boycott of telecom services, if the tariff hike is not reversed. Meanwhile, the National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers is engaging the NCC to push for a reduction in the hike to 10%.