The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has vehemently condemned the recent 50% increase in telecommunications tariffs approved by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), arguing that the Federal Government is prioritizing revenue generation over the welfare of its citizens. The NLC President, Joseph Ajaero, expressed deep concern over the government’s apparent alignment with telecom companies at the expense of Nigerians already struggling with the escalating cost of living. This tariff hike, the first in 11 years, will impact the cost of calls and messages across major telecom providers like MTN, Airtel, Glo, and 9mobile. While the NCC and the telcos justify the increase by citing inflation and the rising cost of operations, the NLC views it as an insensitive move that will further burden the average Nigerian.
Ajaero, whose constituency largely comprises workers earning a minimum wage of less than $50 per month, criticized the government for abdicating its regulatory responsibilities and seemingly treating private telecom companies as public entities. He argued that the government should be protecting consumers from exploitative pricing practices rather than facilitating them. The NLC president expressed fears that the tariff increase would disproportionately affect low-income earners who already struggle to meet basic needs like food, housing, and transportation. He questioned how these individuals could afford a 50% increase in communication costs, a vital service in today’s interconnected world. Ajaero highlighted the irony of government officials praising higher tariffs as beneficial while simultaneously pushing more Nigerians into poverty.
The NLC president further criticized the government’s overreliance on imported telecom equipment, suggesting that local production of essential components like cables and meters could significantly reduce costs and shield consumers from the vagaries of international markets. He urged the government to prioritize and incentivize local manufacturing to create jobs and reduce the reliance on imports, which often leads to higher prices for consumers. Ajaero dismissed the justifications given for the tariff hike – inflation and operational costs – as mere pretexts to boost government revenue. He argued that the potential for local production negates these arguments and exposes the government’s true motive: maximizing revenue collection at the expense of its citizens.
Ajaero’s criticism extended to the government’s handling of the power sector, drawing parallels between the telecom tariff hike and the persistent challenges in the electricity sector. He accused the government of consistently prioritizing the interests of corporations over the welfare of the people, resulting in a system where ordinary Nigerians bear the brunt of rising costs while companies thrive. He questioned why Nigerians are constantly burdened with higher costs, particularly for essential services like communication and electricity, and called for a fundamental rethink of these policies to ensure a more equitable distribution of the burden.
The NLC has not only voiced its concerns but also threatened concrete action. The union issued a statement warning of potential collective action, including a nationwide boycott of telecom services, if the government and the NCC fail to reverse the tariff increase. This demonstrates the seriousness of the NLC’s opposition and its commitment to protecting the interests of its members and the wider Nigerian population. The NLC’s stance reflects a broader discontent among citizens who feel increasingly burdened by rising costs and perceived government indifference to their struggles.
The National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers (NATS), another key stakeholder in this issue, has also expressed its opposition to the 50% tariff hike. NATS plans to engage with the NCC to advocate for a reduction in the increase, suggesting a more manageable 10% increment. This indicates a wider pushback against the tariff hike, with consumer groups joining the NLC in demanding a reconsideration of the policy. The combined pressure from labor unions and consumer advocacy groups puts significant pressure on the government and the NCC to address the concerns raised and potentially revisit the decision. The outcome of these engagements will be crucial in determining the final impact of the tariff hike on Nigerian consumers.
