Telecoms tariff adjustment is ‘economic oppression’ against Nigerian consumers –TUC

*Comrade Festus Osifo, President of the Trade Union Congress, states the approved 50 percent telecoms tariff adjustment is not only ‘ill-timed, but also a deliberate act of economic oppression’ against Nigerian consumers, noting the TUC members will resort to strike, if the Federal Government does not reverse the decision

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

The dust raised by the recent approval of a 50 percent telecoms tariff increments for the Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) is yet to settle as the Trade Union Congress (TUC) has threatened to embark on a national strike, if the Federal Government does not reverse the move.

ConsumerConnect reports Comrade Festus Osifo, President of TUC, disclosed this development during an interview aired on Channels TV Thursday, February 6, 2025.

Comrade Festus Osifo, President of TUC

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) recently disclosed that it approved the MNOs’ request for a tariff adjustment in view of the prevailing high inflation, Foreign Exchange (forex) issues, and soaring cost of operations, among other factors in the economy.

Tariff increments as ‘deliberate act of economic oppression’ against consumers

However, after the meeting of the National Administrative Council (NAC) of TUC, the leadership of the Labour union condemned the proposed tariff hikes.

The TUC stated that the approved 50 percent telecoms tariff adjustment is not only ill-timed, but also a deliberate act of economic oppression against Nigerian consumers.

In connection with the Congress’ threat to commence, if the Federal Government does not yield to its demand for reversal of the decision, Osifo replied, “Yes! Correct!”

Osifo, hinting at the possible date of activating an industrial action, said: “What we had today (Friday) is the NAC meeting to bring about the sensitisation.

“After that, we will have the CWC meeting and the NEC meeting.

“So, it is the responsibility of NEC of TUC to give a date and define the next line of action.”

The President of TUC urged the Nigerian Government to tackle the root cause of the problem he described as Forex mismanagement, rather than the symptoms.

He further said: “If you know what the root cause of the problem is, why would you start looking at the symptoms?

“So, all the increments that we are seeing today are the symptoms of the FX mismanagement.”

Osifo argued: “So, all we are asking is that let us sit down, let us look at how we can go back to that root cause because we strongly believe that if that root cause is addressed, there is no need for these symptoms to prop up.”

TUC: Government should provide economic stability for MNOs

Osifo acknowledged that the Nigerian telecommunications companies are facing high costs of operations.

He, however, maintained that it would be better for the network operators for the government to provide economic stability that will reduce the cost of operations instead of always resorting to upward tariff adjustments.

Earlier, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the National Civil Society Council of Nigeria (NCSCN) suspended their planned nationwide protests over the NCC-approved 50 percent telecoms tariff hikes.

NLC, NCSCN sought to organise mass protest against NCC’s approval

Earlier, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the National Civil Society Council of Nigeria (NCSCN) threatens to hit the streets in protest against the tariff adjustments, but later suspended their planned nationwide protests.

Explaining the rationale for approving the 50 percent tariff increments for the Telcos.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) had fixed a protest on Tuesday but suspended the action following a talk with representatives of the Federal Government.

After extensive deliberation, both the NLC and the FG agreed to set up a 10-man committee comprising five members from both parties to review and submit its report within two weeks.

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