Telecom Tariff Hike: Nigerians Oppose NLC’s Planned Protest, Warn Against Sector Collapse

Folalumi Alaran in Abuja

Nigeria Citizen Watch for Good Governance (NCWGG) has condemned the planned nationwide protest by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) over the recent 50% hike in telecommunications tariffs.

In a statement released on Wednesday by thr President Collins Eshiofeh Idowu, the group argued that the protest, scheduled for February 4th, was misguided and did not consider the economic realities of the telecommunications sector.

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) had approved a 50% tariff adjustment for telecom operators, significantly lower than the initial demand for a 100% increase. The move, according to the NCC, was aimed at sustaining the industry amid rising operational costs.

However, the NLC opposed the tariff hike and announced plans for a nationwide demonstration, a decision the NCWGG strongly criticized.

The group accused the NLC of acting hastily and failing to consider the potential collapse of the telecom industry if operators were unable to cover their operational costs. It warned that failure to sustain the sector could lead to service disruptions, affecting millions of Nigerians who rely on mobile and internet services for communication and business.

Rather than protest the tariff hike, the NCWGG urged the NLC to demand better service quality from telecom providers. It also accused the labour union of selective activism, questioning why it did not mobilize protests against the over 300% hike in electricity tariffs or the sharp rise in food prices.

Backing the tariff increase, the NCWGG cited a GSMA report indicating that the new pricing structure could unlock over $150 million in investments for 4G expansion, benefiting over 9 million Nigerians. The group also claimed the move could boost Nigeria’s GDP by 2% and improve digital access, especially in rural areas.

It added that increasing telecom tariffs would ensure the purchase of advanced infrastructure to meet the growing demand for data and telecom services while guaranteeing uninterrupted services.

The NCWGG pledged to mobilize its members across the country to counter any protests against the telecom tariff hike, insisting that the increase was necessary to keep the sector afloat.

With the February 4th protest approaching, tensions remain high as Nigerians react to both the planned demonstration and the government’s telecom pricing decision.