Protests are trailing the Federal Government’s approval of a 50 percent hike in telecommunications tariff, with the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, rallying Nigerians to reject “another harsh burden” and threatening to mobilise workers to boycott phone services.
HURIWA called for the immediate dismissal of the Minister of Communications, accusing him of championing policies that frustrate and impoverish Nigerians.
The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC as outrageous, lamenting that it will worsen the harsh living conditions of workers and Nigerians.
Similarly, the Coalition of Northern Groups, CNG, rejected the hike, which it said was ill-timed and did not consider the plight of suffering Nigerians, even as the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria HURIWA, described the hike as “an illegal, unconstitutional, and oppressive policy that undermines Nigerians’ fundamental rights and freedoms.”
HURIWA also accused the Federal Government of further impoverishing citizens through a policy that stifles freedom of expression and access to essential communication services.
The Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, had on Monday, approved a rise in tariffs for telecom operators by 50%, against the 100% rise demanded by the operators.
Rallying Nigerians to reject the 50 percent telecom tariff hike approved by the Federal Government through the NCC, the NLC in a statement, titled “50% Telecom tariff hike: Another burden too harsh,” by its President, Joe Ajaero, said: “The NLC expresses its unequivocal condemnation of the Federal Government’s recent approval, through the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, of a 50 percent increase in telecommunication tariffs.
‘’This decision, coming at a time Nigerian workers and the masses are grappling with unprecedented economic hardship, is a clear assault on their welfare and an abandonment of the people to corporate fat cats.
“Telecommunication services are essential for daily communication, work, and access to information. Yet, an average Nigerian worker already spends approximately 10 percent of his wages on telecom charges.
‘’For a worker earning the current minimum wage of N70,000, this means an increase from N7,000 to a staggering N10,500 per month or 15 percent of his salary—a cost that is unsustainable.
“This hike exemplifies the government’s apparent ease in prioritising corporate profits over citizens’ welfare. It is shocking that government approved this 50 percent tariff increase for telecom companies within a month, yet took nearly a year to approve the recent minimum wage for workers, despite the rising cost of living and inflation eroding purchasing power.
“This glaring disparity underscores a troubling reality. The government appears more aligned with the interests of wealthy corporations than the needs of the workers and citizens it is meant to serve.
“We must ask: When will the government stand for the people it swore to protect? When will the National Assembly rise to its responsibility and hold the executive accountable for policies that blatantly undermine the welfare of the majority? When will the common man heave a sigh of relief in Nigeria?
“We call on the government, the NCC and the National Assembly to stop the implementation of this ill-advised hike to allow a reasonable conversation around the hike. If the dialogue agrees on the need for the hike, then, we can all seek a more humane increase and not this 50 percent hike.
“The NLC calls on all Nigerian workers and masses to reject this unjustifiable tariff hike. We urge citizens to prepare for collective action, including the possibility of a nationwide boycott of telecommunication services, to compel the reversal of this punitive increase. This is a fight for our dignity, our rights, and our survival as a people.
“The Nigeria Labour Congress remains resolute in defending the interests of Nigerian workers and the masses. We will not allow the people to bear the brunt of policies that further entrench poverty and inequality.
‘’Together, we will resist this injustice and demand that government prioritizes the interests of its citizens over corporate interests.”
Deputy President of TUC, Dr Tommy Okon, said the planned increase is not only unhealthy but also failed to appreciate the ability of subscribers, especially workers, to pay.
He said: “We do not understand the state of mind of the managers of the nation’s economy. It is unfortunate that the managers of Nigeria’s economy have alienated themselves from the reality of Nigeria of today.
‘’How can a government give approval for a 50 percent hike in the tariff of telecom services at a time even the N70,000 minimum wage has been eroded by inflation, electricity tariff hike, exorbitant cost of fuel, transportation and other social services?
‘’The planned tariff hike is very unhealthy to workers and the common man. Telecom services, especially data services, make workers and the common man happy since they cannot afford the cost of pay TV. It is the data from the telecom services they depend on for relaxation and other entertainment.
“If you increase the tariff beyond the capacity of subscribers, especially workers, to pay, they will boycott or stop patronizing the telecom services. When this happens, the telecom companies may be forced to collapse.
‘’Even if there is a need for an increment, why must it be 50 percent? A 15 to 20 percent hike would have been more appropriate. 50 percent is outrageous. It will definitely worsen the harsh living conditions of workers and put more burden and suffering on workers and the masses.”
In like manner, the National Coordinator of CNG, Jamilu Charanchi, in a statement, described the hike as ill-timed.
Charanchi described the tariff hike as an assault on the dignity and livelihoods of the people who had been economically pauperised.
He said: “The CNG totally and unequivocally rejects the recent astronomical 50% increase in telecommunications tariffs in the country as sanctioned by the NCC.
“The CNG avers that this decision, coming at a time Nigerians are reeling in immense economic hardship, is nothing short of an assault on the dignity and livelihoods of the people that have been economically pauperized.
“We are appalled by the insensitivity and lack of foresight demonstrated by the NCC and the Federal Ministry of Communications in approving such an exorbitant tariff hike.
“The CNG observes that at a time millions of Nigerians are struggling to make ends meet, due to hyper-inflation, rising unemployment, and the pervasive effects of economic mismanagement, this decision is utterly indefensible.”
Meanwhile, the group accused the telecom operators of shortchanging Nigerians for years “through ineffective, inefficient and weakened services that translate into failed calls, undelivered text messages and wasted data subscriptions but with full charges deducted from the subscribers.”
Condemning the hike, HURIWA expressed outrage that the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, granted approval for such a steep increase, labelling it a “toxic and wicked authorisation” that failed to consider the dire economic realities faced by millions of Nigerians.
According to the group, this tariff hike, set to take effect in February 2025, is among the highest globally and represents a direct attack on young and old Nigerians alike.
The organisation revealed that it was already in discussions with its partners to stage peaceful protests, as permitted by the Nigerian constitution.
“If this tariff hike is allowed to stand, it effectively marks the end of freedom of expression as we know it. Social media and other digital platforms, which are critical tools for advocacy, education, and civic engagement, will become inaccessible to millions,” HURIWA warned.
It accused the federal government of continuing a pattern of actions aimed at suppressing freedom of expression, beginning with the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
“The APC government has always sought ways to curtail the voices of young people and limit their presence on social media. This 50 percent hike is an indirect way of achieving that sinister goal.”
“If President Tinubu fails to act, he risks allowing his government to be remembered as one that enslaved its people through oppressive policies. Nigerians must not be reduced to perpetual slaves,” it said.
While urging Nigerians to stand up against the tariff hike, describing it as a litmus test for the country’s democracy, HURIWA stated further: “We cannot afford to let this policy stand. The rights and freedoms of Nigerians are at stake, and we must act decisively to protect them.”
