No Hike Without Better Services!” – NLC President Ajaero Lays Down Conditions For Telecom Tariff Increase

The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero, has firmly rejected the proposed 50% increase in telecom tariffs by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in collaboration with telecom operators.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television on Thursday, Ajaero insisted that any tariff hike must involve genuine stakeholder consultations to explore sustainable solutions that do not worsen the plight of Nigerians.

Questioning the justification for the proposed increase, Ajaero pointed out that the telecom sector has experienced significant growth, expanding from less than 50,000 subscribers at inception to over 200 million active lines today. He described the tariff hike as an unjustifiable burden on Nigerians already grappling with high inflation, soaring transportation costs, rising electricity tariffs, and an overall economic downturn.

“Increasing tariffs will exacerbate inflation and worsen the economic hardship faced by millions of Nigerians,” Ajaero warned. “The argument that the telecom sector cannot sustain operations without a 50% tariff hike contradicts their profitability in a rapidly expanding market.”

He also criticized the lack of consultation with key stakeholders, including labor unions, civil society organizations, and consumers, before arriving at the decision. “Tariff modeling must be inclusive and equitable. Decisions of this magnitude cannot be made in isolation or imposed arbitrarily without considering their impact on Nigerians,” he stressed.

The NLC President affirmed that the union will engage with labor groups, civil society, and the general public to determine the best course of action, hinting that a boycott could be among the options on the table. “Our position is clear: any increase must be fair, transparent, and the result of genuine stakeholder engagement. Nigerians cannot afford yet another burden.”