Nigerian union calls for telco boycott after tariff increaseNigerian union calls for telco boycott after tariff increase

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has declared a nationwide boycott of MTN, Airtel and Glo from 11:00 AM to 2:00 p.m. daily, starting February 13, 2025, until new tariff hikes are reversed.

The boycott is in response to the recent approval of a 50% increase in tariffs by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), which has significantly raised the cost of mobile data, voice calls and SMS services.

 The NLC criticized the tariff hike, stating that no changes should have been made until ongoing negotiations with the government were concluded. It condemned the move as a violation of trust and a disregard for stakeholder agreement. 

"The CWC [Central Working Committee] received with grave concern the news that telecommunications companies have commenced the implementation of a 50% tariff hike, despite an earlier agreement reached with the Nigerian government and the NCC," the NLC statement read.

"If the telecommunications companies fail to revert to the old tariff by the end of February 2025, a total shutdown of their operations nationwide will commence from March 1, 2025," the union warned.

The union has denounced the increases as both "unwarranted" and "premature."

Outrage as telcos hike tariffs

The controversy ignited after telecom giant MTN Nigeria sharply adjusted its data package prices.

Related:MTN Nigeria hikes mobile tariffs

MTN Nigeria implemented mobile data price increases earlier this week following the NCC approval last month.

The tariffs had remained unchanged since 2013.

The National Association of Telecoms Subscribers of Nigeria (NATCOMs) is also opposed to the tariff increase and has advocated for sanctions against telecom providers.

"Subscribers are even complaining that what they saw was a 200% and not a 50% hike," NATCOMs President Deolu Ogunbanjo said, urging the NCC to clarify what was approved.

(Source: MTN Nigeria)

In a surprising turn of events, MTN Nigeria then apologized for the 200% increase, calling the development a mistake and asking for understanding from subscribers.

"We know how upsetting it must have been to wake up to a 200% increase on your favorite digital bundle. We get it and admit it. Let's just say [it was a] mistake," MTN Nigeria said in a statement.

Even though the telco has apologized for the hike, it did not clarify if the plans would be reversed or not.

Local media is reporting that the country's House of Representatives directed the NCC and the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy to suspend the tariff increase, arguing that Nigerians cannot afford higher telecom costs amid rising inflation and the removal of fuel subsidies.

Although tariff increases have not yet been reported from Airtel Nigeria and Globacom, because of the approval by the NCC, all Nigerian operators are expected to implement these increases.