The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a directive urging Nigerian workers and citizens to boycott the services of major telecommunications companies—MTN, Airtel, and Glo—following a significant increase in data tariffs.
The decision was announced after an emergency meeting of the NLC Central Working Committee (CWC) held in Lokoja, Kogi State, on Tuesday, February 11, 2025.
The NLC condemned the recent tariff hike, which saw data bundle prices rise by as much as 200%.
For instance, the 15GB data bundle, previously priced at N2,000, now costs N6,000, while the 1.5TB plan has surged from N150,000 to N240,000.
The labour union described the move as a “betrayal of trust” and an “affront to the principles of negotiation.”
In a press statement, the NLC directed workers and citizens to boycott the services of these telecom companies daily between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM, starting from Thursday, February 13, 2025, until the end of the month.
The union also called for a suspension of data purchases and demanded the repatriation of funds allegedly siphoned out of the country by these companies.
The NLC warned that if the telecom companies fail to revert to the old tariff structure by the end of February, a nationwide shutdown of their operations will commence on March 1, 2025.
The union has also instructed its state councils and affiliate unions to mobilize members and the public to observe “electronic silence” during the designated boycott hours.
This development comes amid growing public outcry over the rising cost of living and corporate exploitation in Nigeria.
The NLC’s move signals a growing resistance to corporate practices perceived as detrimental to the welfare of ordinary citizens.
The NLC’s statement also highlighted the formation of a 10-man committee to deliberate on the matter within two weeks and report back before any final decision would be made on the new telecom tariff structure.
The committee’s findings are expected to influence the next steps in this ongoing dispute.
The NLC has called on the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Federal Government to intervene and ensure that the interests of Nigerian citizens are protected.
The union emphasized that the tariff hike is a clear demonstration of regulatory capture and corporate impunity, which must be addressed to prevent further exploitation of the masses.
As the boycott begins, Nigerians are urged to stand in solidarity with the NLC’s directive to resist the arbitrary tariff hike.
The union has also called for widespread sensitization and mobilization efforts across the country to ensure the success of the boycott.
