National Telescope national telescope newspaper
A potential strike is looming as the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) mobilises against the 50% hike in telecom tariffs, while the National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers (NATCOMS) prepares to meet with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on Friday to demand a reduction in the increase.
The tariff hike, approved by the Federal Government after telecom operators initially requested a 100% increase, has sparked widespread discontent across the country. Subscribers, led by NATCOMS, are calling for a more reasonable 10% adjustment.
If discussions with the NCC fail, NATCOMS plans to take legal action next week to challenge the hike.
The increase, the first in over a decade, is intended to support the struggling telecom sector, which contributes around 14% to Nigeria’s economy. However, the decision has sparked heated debates, with many Nigerians arguing that the hike adds to their economic burden, especially given the country’s high inflation rate and the fact that many workers earn a minimum wage below $50 per month.
Labour leader Joseph Ajaero condemned the hike, stating that it unfairly targets workers and the general public. The NLC has warned of a nationwide protest, including the possibility of a telecom service boycott, unless the government and NCC reverse the decision.
Speaking with The PUNCH on Thursday, NATCOMS President Adeolu Ogunbanjo said, “Going to court is the civil way of doing things, not boycotting telecom services.” He expressed concern that such actions could hurt investor confidence in Nigeria’s telecom industry, which is crucial to the country’s digital economy. “We cannot support actions that could undermine private businesses. These are companies trying to survive in a difficult environment,” Ogunbanjo added.
Despite the hike, telecom operators face significant financial challenges, including rising operational costs, exchange rate volatility, and the need for substantial investments in infrastructure. NATCOMS has urged telecom companies to explore alternative funding options, such as Initial Public Offerings (IPOs), rather than burdening consumers further.
“The telcos need to raise capital by going to the stock market. We believe people will invest. Protests and boycotts won’t solve anything,” Ogunbanjo said.
Meanwhile, the NLC has urged Nigerians to take peaceful but decisive action against the tariff hike. Public Relations Officer Benson Upah emphasized that citizens have a right to express their dissatisfaction peacefully. “It’s time for Nigerians to stand up for their rights, but it must be done in an organized and non-violent way,” Upah stated.
NLC Lagos State Chairman, Sessi Funmi, hinted that the union might consider a variety of actions, including boycotts or even occupying the offices of telecom providers. “We’re still discussing the next steps, but actions will be taken to show our dissatisfaction,” Funmi said.
In addition, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has also joined the growing chorus of opposition to the hike, calling it “inconsiderate and unjustifiable.” NANS warned that the increase would make it harder for students to access affordable internet, which is vital for their education.
In a statement issued by NANS spokesperson Oladimeji Uthman, the student body demanded that the NCC and the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy reverse the decision within 72 hours or face a nationwide protest. “If this issue is not addressed, we will mobilize students, unions, and civil society groups for peaceful protests across the country,” Uthman said.
As the deadline looms, both subscribers and labour unions are putting pressure on the government and telecom providers to reconsider the hike, while urging that any policy changes be made in consultation with the people most affected by them.
