By Olaitan Ibrahim
In a bold move against the Federal Government’s approval of a staggering 50% increase in telecommunication tariffs, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a fiery ultimatum: reverse the hike or face nationwide resistance.
Joe Ajaero, NLC President, in a statement, described the tariff increase as an outright betrayal of Nigerians battling unprecedented economic hardship.
“This decision is a slap in the face of Nigerian workers and the masses. It’s a clear endorsement of corporate greed at the expense of our survival,” Ajaero thundered in a statement on Wednesday.
Ajaero painted a grim picture of the consequences, highlighting how telecom services, a lifeline for communication and work, are becoming luxuries.
“A worker earning ₦70,000 minimum wage will now see telecom expenses spike from ₦7,000 to a crushing ₦10,500 monthly. That’s 15% of their salary gone—unsustainable, unjustifiable, and outrightly oppressive,” he declared.
The NLC president lashed out at the government for its hypocrisy, fast-tracking tariff approvals while dragging its feet on implementing the minimum wage.
“Why is it so easy for the government to favour corporate profits over citizens’ welfare? Where is the accountability? When will the common Nigerian catch a break in this suffocating system?” Ajaero demanded.
In an audacious call to action, the NLC president urged Nigerians to reject the tariff hike outright.
“We will not fold our arms while citizens are bled dry by exploitative policies. Prepare for collective action—telecom boycotts, protests, and any means necessary to force a reversal,” Ajaero warned.
Ajaero said while the NLC acknowledged the need for occasional tariff reviews, it condemned the scale and timing of this increase.
“We are open to dialogue, but a 50% hike is not only draconian but also an insult to the Nigerian people,” he asserted.
Ajaero concluded with a rallying cry: “This is about our dignity, rights, and survival. The NLC will not back down until this injustice is overturned. Together, we will resist policies that deepen poverty and inequality.”