The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has rejected the 50% telecom tariff hike approved by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), calling it an unjust burden on Nigerians struggling with the rising cost of living. Instead, the union has proposed a 5% increase, arguing that a higher rate would worsen economic hardship and cripple businesses.
NLC Slams Tariff Hike as “Mindless”
NLC’s spokesman, Benson Upah, strongly criticized the decision during his appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily. He described the tariff hike as an attack on Nigerians already burdened by economic instability.
“They keep on emasculating us through stupid taxes. It will come to a point when people can pay but they won’t pay. This really is to halt this mindless tariff increase,” he said.
Upah stressed that Nigerians are already suffering from high inflation, rising energy tariffs, and stagnant wages. He insisted that if any increase is necessary, 5% should be the maximum, given the current economic crisis.
“But now to say 50%, it is not going to work. Where will ordinary Nigerians be at the end of the day when we have energy tariff increases?” he asked.
Nationwide Protest Set for February 4
The NLC has vowed to go ahead with its nationwide protest on February 4, 2025, to demand a reversal of the telecom tariff hike. The union maintains that the increase is insensitive and exploitative, further deepening the suffering of millions of Nigerians.
According to Upah, “The manufacturers are groaning, the middle-class people are groaning. The ordinary Nigerians on the streets can’t even afford to turn on the lights in their sitting rooms.”
He argued that higher tariffs and taxes do not always translate to higher revenue for the government. Instead, they often force people to cut back on spending or seek alternatives, ultimately hurting the telecom industry and the economy.
IMF and World Bank’s Role in Economic Hardship
The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have long pushed for the removal of energy subsidies and the full floating of the naira. While the government has followed some of these policies, Nigeria’s inflation rate has soared, and the cost of living has skyrocketed.
The telecom tariff increase is another financial blow, adding to the rising food prices, electricity costs, and transportation fares. The NLC’s planned protest could be a turning point in resisting these harsh policies.
