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NewsOrganized Labour, Others React To NCC Approval Of 50% Tariff Hike For...

Organized Labour, Others React To NCC Approval Of 50% Tariff Hike For Telecom Operators

January 23, 2025

The Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, had on Monday, approved a rise in tariffs for telecom operators by 50%, against the 100% rise demanded by the operators.

This immediately drew the wrath of the consumers’ association which described government’s approval as not only punitive but also insensitive.

The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has condemned the hike and is rallying Nigerians with threat to mobilisze workers to boycott telecom services to reject what it President, Joe Ajaero, described as “another harsh burden”.

“This hike exemplifies the government’s apparent ease in prioritising corporate profits over citizens’ welfare. It is shocking that government approved this 50 per cent tariff increase for telecom companies within a month, yet took nearly a year to approve the recent minimum wage for workers, despite the rising cost of living and inflation eroding purchasing power.

“The NLC calls on all Nigerian workers and masses to reject this unjustifiable tariff hike. We urge citizens to prepare for collective action, including the possibility of a nationwide boycott of telecommunication services, to compel the reversal of this punitive increase. This is a fight for our dignity, our rights, and our survival as a people.

READ MORE; 50% Tariff Hike: Investors Take Positions in MTN Nigeria.

Similarly, the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, described as outrageous, lamenting that it will worsen the harsh living conditions of Nigerians.

Deputy President of TUC, Dr Tommy Okon, said the planned increase is not only unhealthy but also failed to appreciate the ability of subscribers, especially workers, to pay.

‘’How can a government give approval for a 50 per cent hike in the tariff of telecom services at a time even the N70,000 minimum wage has been eroded by inflation, electricity tariff hike, exorbitant cost of fuel, transportation and other social services?

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria HURIWA, described the hike as “an illegal, unconstitutional and oppressive policy that undermines Nigerians’ fundamental rights and freedoms”

Condemning the hike, HURIWA expressed outrage that the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, granted approval for such a steep increase, labelling it a “toxic and wicked authorisation” that failed to consider the dire economic realities faced by millions of Nigerians.

HURIWA called on members of the civil society community to rise from their slumber and resist this policy.

READ MORE; NATCOMS To Challenge NCC In Court Over 50% Telecom Tariff Hike.

“We urge civil society groups and well-meaning Nigerians to organize peaceful demonstrations to register their disagreement with this oppressive hike. It is an attack on the fundamental human rights of citizens, and silence in the face of this injustice is not an option,’’ the group stated.

The Coalition of Northern Groups, CNG, rejected the hike, which it said was ill-timed and did not consider the plight of suffering Nigerians.

CNG, National Coordinator Jamilu Charanchi, in a statement, described the tariff hike as an assault on the dignity and livelihoods of the people who had been economically pauperised.

He said: “The CNG totally and unequivocally rejects the recent astronomical 50% increase in telecommunications tariffs in the country as sanctioned by the NCC.

“We are appalled by the insensitivity and lack of foresight demonstrated by the NCC and the Federal Ministry of Communications in approving such an exorbitant tariff hike.
“The CNG observes that at a time millions of Nigerians are struggling to make ends meet, due to hyper-inflation, rising unemployment, and the pervasive effects of economic mismanagement, this decision is utterly indefensible.”

‘’It is becoming clearer by the day that this administration is systematically suppressing the rights of Nigerians.

“The 50 per cent hike in telecom tariffs is not just an economic assault, it is also a calculated attempt to muscle freedom of expression and silence the voices of young Nigerians who rely on affordable internet and communication services to participate in national discourse.”

READ MORE; NCC Approves 50% Tariff Increase For Telecom Operators 

Also condemning the hike in strong terms, the Movement for Socialists Alternative, MSA, said a 50 per cent increase in telecom tariff will over-stretch the elastic patience of the working masses.

Speaking through its General Secretary, Daggar Tolar, MSA said: “It is clear that the Tinubu regime is using a scorpion tail to replace the cane that his predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari, unleashed on the working masses. The expected promise of relief continues to be a mirage.

“Tinubu’s broadcast two years ago shot fuel price from N167 to over N1,000. This alone continues to impact negatively on the economy, with inflation at double digits and not ebbing, tax reforms that impose more burdens on ordinary Nigerians, increase in electricity tariff with no visible increase in megawatts production and load shedding and distribution of more darkness.

The umbrella body for pro-masses civil society organization, the Joint Action Front, JAF, said it was not surprised by the continued imposition of anti-people’s policies by the government, describing the 50 per cent tariff hike as one of the policies.

Speaking through its Secretary, Abiodun Aremu, JAF said: “What do you want to say in an operative socioeconomic system where the ruling politicians have destroyed and looted the country with the neo-liberal paradigm of privatisation policies?

The National Association of telecom subscribers, NATCOMs and Socio – Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, among others, have threatened to challenge the decision in court, if not reversed.

NATCOMS said the most its members could accept is a marginal increase of between five and 10 per cent and not 50 per cent, which will affect both the common people and small businesses in the country.

READ MORE; Telcom Operators Say Cost of Data Cheaper in Nigeria, Than Ghana, South Africa, and Kenya .

President of the association, Chief Deolu Ogubanjo said: “We are alarmed that the NCC will approve a whopping 50 percent price hike for operators without considering the implications to the common subscribers and the small businesses in the country.

‘’What we envisaged was just a marginal increase and if it wasn’t enough, the telcos can go the way of Independent Private Placements, IPOs, after all, Nigerians want to co-own some of the telcos too.

SERAP on its part immediately after the announcement, issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the Federal Government and telecommunications companies (telcos) to reverse the recent 50% hike in the cost of calls and data, describing it as “unlawful”.

SERAP said: “The Tinubu administration and telcos must immediately reverse the unlawful increase in calls and data costs. We’ll see in court if the 50% tariff hike is not reversed within 48 hours.”

READ MORE; Nigeria’s Telecom Sector Hopeful Of Investment in 2025 Due To Forex Stability

Meanwhile the Association of Telecom Companies of Nigeria, ATCON, said these threats were unnecessary, considering the due consultation that was held before the approval.

ATCON’s position was also corroborated by the Association of Telephone, Cable Tv and Internet Subscribers of Nigeria, ATCIS, a group which claims to be the authoritative voice for the protection of the interests and rights of Telephone, Cable TV, and Internet Subscribers in Nigerian.

A statement by ATCON President, Tony Izuagbe Emoekpere, said: “The decision by the NCC to increase telecom tariffs by 50 percent reflects the Commission’s recognition of the mounting operational challenges faced by operators and the need to sustain their ability to deliver quality telecommunications services to Nigerians.

“For over a decade, tariff rates have remained static, despite escalating costs driven by inflation, foreign exchange volatility, and the significant investments required to meet growing consumer demand. These realities have placed operators under immense financial pressure, threatening the sustainability of the telecommunications sector, which is a critical enabler of Nigeria’s digital economy.

“While the approved tariff adjustment, capped at a maximum of 50%, does not fully address the operators’ request for a 100% increase, we understand that this is a step towards bridging the gap between operational costs and revenues. This adjustment will enable operators to continue investing in infrastructure, expand coverage, and improve service quality for the benefit of all Nigerians.

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