13 February , 2025
Oni Kehinde
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called on Nigerians, including civil servants, to boycott the services of major telecom providers—MTN, Airtel, and Glo—starting February 13, 2025, in protest against a recent 50% increase in telecommunications tariffs.
In a communiqué issued from Lokoja, Kogi State, on Wednesday, NLC President Joe Ajaero and Secretary Emmanuel Ugboaja demanded an immediate reversal of the tariff hike, insisting that the companies revert to the previous rates pending further negotiations.
The directive urges citizens to avoid using these networks daily between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM until the end of February. The NLC has condemned what it describes as the exploitation of Nigerians through excessive data charges and is demanding the repatriation of funds allegedly siphoned abroad by telecom operators.
If the telecom firms do not comply by the end of February, the NLC has warned that a total nationwide shutdown of their operations will commence on March 1, 2025.
To enforce compliance, the Congress has directed its affiliate unions to mobilize members across the country to participate in the boycott and the potential shutdown.
This development comes as a 10-man committee, formed by the NLC and the Federal Government, reviews the tariff hike. The committee has been given two weeks to submit its findings before a final decision on the new pricing structure is made.
The NLC has accused both the telecom firms and the Federal Government of neglecting due process and failing to protect Nigerians from corporate exploitation.
