The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has strongly opposed the 50% telecom tariff increase approved by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), insisting that a 5% increase would be more reasonable given the current economic hardships faced by Nigerians.
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The union has also vowed to go ahead with a nationwide protest scheduled for Tuesday, February 4, 2025, to express its displeasure over the decision.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Thursday, NLC spokesman Benson Upah criticized the government’s approach, calling the proposed tariff hike an unfair burden on already struggling citizens.
He lamented that Nigerians were being overtaxed and warned that the situation could spiral out of control. According to him, if the government continues imposing excessive taxes and levies, there will come a time when people, despite having the means, will refuse to comply.
He described the 50% increase as "mindless" and insisted that under the current economic circumstances, a 5% hike would be more reasonable.
He further questioned how ordinary Nigerians would cope, especially given the recent surge in electricity tariffs and the overall rise in the cost of living.
The labour leader also painted a grim picture of the economic struggles faced by manufacturers, middle-class earners, and the average Nigerian.
He argued that rising costs and excessive taxation are stifling economic growth rather than fostering it. According to him, lower taxes encourage broader compliance and stimulate economic activity, whereas exorbitant levies only push people into deeper hardship.
Nigeria’s economic situation has been further complicated by international financial institutions such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which have consistently urged the government to remove energy subsidies and float the naira.
These recommendations, according to analysts, have contributed to rising inflation and worsened the financial struggles of millions of Nigerians.
As tensions rise, the NLC remains resolute in its demand for a downward review of the telecom tariff increase.
With the February 4 protest approaching, attention is now on the government and the NCC to see if they will reconsider the decision or risk nationwide unrest over economic policies affecting the lives of ordinary Nigerians.