The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a stern directive for Nigerian workers and concerned citizens to boycott telecommunications services provided by MTN, Glo, and Airtel, following an unexpected surge in data charges. The call, which aims to mobilize the public in protest of what the NLC describes as an unjustified tariff increase, comes after MTN Nigeria, one of the country’s largest telecom providers, hiked its data rates by up to 200%.
According to reports, MTN has increased the price of its data bundles dramatically. The 15GB data plan, which previously cost N2,000, is now being sold for N6,000, while the 1.5TB package has jumped from N150,000 to N240,000. Smaller plans are also affected, with the 100GB bundle now costing N25,000 for 90GB, compared to the previous price of N20,000 for 100GB. Similarly, the 600GB plan saw a rise from N75,000 to N120,000 for 480GB.
These price hikes have caused an uproar among Nigerians, particularly in the face of an agreement made earlier in the year between the government, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), and telecom companies to delay tariff changes until further consultations could be made. The NLC’s condemnation of the increase is rooted in concerns over the rising cost of living and the financial strain on the average Nigerian worker.
In a press statement released on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, the NLC’s Central Working Committee (CWC) expressed their outrage over the increase, calling it “a betrayal of trust.” The union argues that the hike, which took effect on February 12, was implemented without proper consultation or consideration for the economic challenges faced by the general populace.
A Government Betrayal?
The CWC’s statement went on to criticize the federal government for its failure to enforce regulatory mechanisms that would protect consumers from corporate exploitation. “The tariff hike is not just a betrayal of trust, it is a slap in the face of the government and its institutions. It reflects the growing impotence of our regulatory bodies and the increasing dominance of corporate interests over the welfare of Nigerian workers,” the statement read.
The tariff increase comes at a time when Nigeria is already grappling with high inflation rates and economic uncertainty, which has left many Nigerians struggling to afford basic goods and services. The NLC’s call for a boycott is seen as an attempt to mobilize the public to take action against what they perceive as a deliberate attempt by telecom giants to profit at the expense of the masses.
The Boycott Plan: What You Need to Know
In response to the hikes, the NLC has called for a temporary boycott of MTN, Glo, and Airtel services, urging workers and citizens to refrain from using the services of these companies between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM daily, starting from Thursday, February 13, 2025. This boycott will last until the end of February. The NLC also urged Nigerians to halt their purchase of data from these providers until the tariffs are reverted to the previous rates.
The union also demanded that all funds taken out of Nigeria by the telecommunications companies be repatriated, a move aimed at addressing what the NLC describes as “unjust economic practices” by the telecom companies operating in the country.
“The CWC believes that this tariff increase is an affront to the principles of negotiation and a direct disregard for the agreement reached between the federal government and the telecom companies,” the statement emphasized. “We are committed to fighting this exploitation, and our collective action is the first step in resisting these unjustified price hikes.”
Implications for Telecom Companies and Government
The boycott, which will run through the end of February, has the potential to significantly affect the operations of MTN, Glo, and Airtel. With millions of Nigerian workers and citizens expected to participate, telecom companies may face a considerable loss in revenue, especially if the boycott garners widespread public support.
In addition, the threat of a full shutdown in March 2025 if the telecom companies fail to reverse the tariffs presents a serious challenge for the government, which is already under pressure to address public dissatisfaction with the economy. As tensions rise, both the telecom companies and the government will be under the microscope, facing difficult questions about their role in a telecom industry that has been accused of exploiting Nigerians.
The government, for its part, has yet to make a public statement on the matter, although many observers expect the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy to be forced to take action to address the concerns raised by the NLC. If the issue remains unresolved, the proposed shutdown could severely disrupt communications in the country, affecting everything from business operations to social interactions.
The Bigger Picture: Telecom Industry’s Influence in Nigeria
The issue of data tariffs is not new to Nigerians, as previous increases have also sparked public outrage, though none have been as dramatic as this recent hike. Critics of the telecom industry argue that despite the country’s poor infrastructure and economic difficulties, telecom companies continue to rake in significant profits while providing subpar services.
In addition to the data tariff issue, many Nigerians have voiced concerns about poor customer service, unreliable network coverage, and high subscription costs for services that are increasingly essential for daily life in the modern digital economy. For many Nigerians, the mobile phone and internet are critical tools for communication, work, and education, making any increase in the cost of these services all the more difficult to bear.
The power of telecom companies in Nigeria is undeniable. With millions of subscribers and billions in revenue, companies like MTN, Airtel, and Glo wield considerable influence over both the economy and the lives of Nigerian citizens. For the NLC, this recent increase in data tariffs is seen as just the latest example of corporate overreach, and the union is determined to push back against what they describe as exploitation.
What’s Next?
As the boycott begins on February 13, all eyes will be on how Nigerian workers and the general public respond. While some expect the boycott to have a significant impact on telecom companies, others remain skeptical about whether such actions can bring about a lasting change. Nonetheless, with the full shutdown scheduled for March 1, 2025, if the demands are not met, it is clear that the NLC is willing to escalate its efforts to protect the interests of Nigerian workers.
The outcome of this dispute could have far-reaching implications for the telecom industry and government policy in Nigeria, as well as set a precedent for how future negotiations between corporate giants and labor unions are handled in the country.
The situation remains fluid, and the coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether the telecom companies will reverse their price hikes or if the battle between the workers and the corporate giants will intensify further.
