…Labour Unions, Students, Activists Condemn NCC’s Approval, Threaten Mass Action
A nationwide protest is brewing in Nigeria as labour unions, students, and activists vehemently reject the 50% telecom tariff hike approved by the Nigerian Communications Commission.
The NCC’s decision, which is set to take effect in February, has been widely condemned as insensitive and ill-timed, given the country’s current economic woes.
The tariff hike, which will see call rates increase from N11 to N16.5 per minute, SMS costs rise from N4 to N6, and data prices surge by 50%, has been described as a “final burial” to the country’s already struggling economy.
Dr. Yunusa Tanko, National Coordinator of the OBIDIENT Movement Worldwide, told Daily Post that the hike was “a wrong timing, wrong action, and wrong choice.” Tanko urged the Federal Government to halt the tariff increase, warning that it would exacerbate the country’s economic hardship.
The Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria have also threatened to mobilize workers to boycott telecom services if the hike is not reversed.
The National Association of Nigerian Students has issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy to reverse the decision or face nationwide protests.
Activists, including Omoyele Sowore, have also vowed to support any credible protest against the tariff hike.
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has mandated the telecom industry to prioritize service improvement, including network reliability, speed, and accessibility, in the planned tariff adjustments.
