
On January 20, 2025, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) approved a 50 per cent telecom tariff hike. This decision marked the first adjustment since 2013 and was influenced by rising operational costs, including high inflation and currency devaluation.
Telecom operators had initially requested a 100 per cent increase, but the NCC settled on 50 per cent to balance industry sustainability with consumer affordability.
However, this decision quickly sparked widespread outrage across the country, with many Nigerians seeing it as yet another blow to their already strained finances. In response, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) called for a nationwide protest on February 4, 2025, demanding an immediate reversal of the tariff hike.
The Congress decision to protest follows a statement from the NLC’s National Administrative Council (NAC) on January 29, 2025, which emphasised the need to reverse the increase and addressed the implications of the tariff adjustment.
The planned demonstration, which will take place across major cities, is expected to send a strong message to the Federal Government and regulatory authorities that the hike is unacceptable in an economy already stretched to its limits.
The NLC President, Joe Ajaero, made it clear that the Congress would not sit idly by while Nigerians continue to bear the brunt of harsh economic policies. For millions of Nigerians, mobile and internet services are not luxuries but necessities.
In a digital age where communication, business transactions, education, and even access to government services depend on affordable telecom services, the 50 per cent increase comes as a shock.
“The rally will serve as a warning on the dangers of imposing such an unfair increase on a struggling population earning a minimum wage of only ₦70,000,” Ajaero stated. “We cannot continue to push Nigerians further into economic hardship.”
Indeed, the country has seen relentless increases in the cost of living. The removal of fuel subsidies sent petrol prices soaring, the cost of food has skyrocketed, and electricity tariffs have climbed beyond the reach of many households.
This latest decision by the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) to approve a telecom tariff hike appears to be the final straw for workers and the general public who are already stretched beyond their financial limits.
For many Nigerians, this increase is not just an economic issue but a direct attack on their ability to survive in a country where inflation has outpaced wage growth. Businesses, small and large, rely heavily on internet and mobile services to operate, and a significant hike in costs could mean reduced productivity, layoffs, and even business closures.
The NLC’s call to action extends beyond its affiliates. The Congress is urging all Nigerians including informal workers, students, civil society organisations, and businesses to join the February 4 protest in a show of unity against what it describes as an “insensitive and unjustifiable” policy.
“Willing civil society allies are also encouraged to join the mobilisation,” Ajaero stated. “This is a fight for all Nigerians, not just workers. We must resist policies that prioritise corporate profits over the well-being of the people.”
The labour union’s stance is clear: Nigerians should not be forced to pay more for essential services, especially at a time when disposable incomes have drastically diminished. The economic realities facing citizens should be the government’s primary concern, not approving tariff hikes that only benefit telecommunications companies at the expense of struggling households.
The NLC’s position is straightforward. It demands an immediate suspension of the 50 per cent telecom tariff increase, a transparent dialogue between the Federal Government, NCC, and key stakeholders to review the tariff adjustment, and a clear commitment to policies that protect ordinary Nigerians from exploitative economic decisions.
If these demands are not met, the NLC has warned that it will escalate its actions. One major step being considered is a nationwide boycott of telecom services, which could significantly impact the industry. The possibility of a general strike also remains on the table.
If the boycott threat is carried out, telecom companies could face massive financial losses, with millions of Nigerians deliberately reducing their airtime and data usage in protest. In a country where digital services play a key role in commerce, banking, education, and government operations, such an action could have far-reaching consequences.
A telecom shutdown, combined with mass protests, would send a powerful message not just to the government but also to businesses that rely on these services. The implications could be severe, putting pressure on the authorities to reconsider their stance before the crisis deepens.
The Federal Government has yet to make a concrete statement in response to the growing backlash but the House of Representatives’ Committee on Communications is engaging with the NLC to avert the planned protest. The committee aims to facilitate dialogue between the labour union and relevant stakeholders to find a resolution.
The NCC has justified the tariff increase by citing the need to address the significant gap between operational costs and revenues to ensure service delivery is not compromised. The commission acknowledged the rising costs of operation and emphasised that the decision was made to maintain the quality of telecommunications services in the country.
Sources within the telecommunications sector argue that the tariff hike is necessary due to rising operational costs, including increased diesel prices, high inflation, and the fluctuating exchange rate, all of which have made running telecom infrastructure more expensive, but for the NLC and its allies, this argument does not hold water.
The union insists that it is the government’s duty to cushion the effects of economic hardship, not aggravate them through policies that widen the gap between the rich and the struggling majority. The key question remains, will the government engage in dialogue, or will it allow tensions to escalate further?
As February 4 approaches, anticipation is growing. Across the country, unions, workers, and activists are mobilising in preparation for what could be one of the biggest mass protests in recent years. The level of participation could determine how quickly the government responds or whether it risks facing an even bigger crisis.
For now, the ball is in the government’s court. Nigerians are watching closely, and come tomorrow, they will take to the streets to demand a reversal of this decision. If history has shown anything, it is that when Nigerians unite against economic injustice, their voices cannot be ignored.