Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), an umbrella group for trade unions, has announced that Nigerians are planning a statewide boycott of telecom services in protest of the Nigerian Communications Commission’s (NCC) recent approval of a 50% increase in phone costs.

Following carriers’ demands for cost-reflective charges amid challenging economic conditions, the NCC approved a 50% increase in telephone tariffs on Monday.

This hike, which fell short of the 100 percent increase that telcos requested, caused the average cost of calls to go from N11 to N16.5 per minute, the cost of 1GB of data to go from N287.5/GB to N431.25, and the price of SMS to go from N4 to N6.

“The adjustment, capped at a maximum of 50 percent of current tariffs, though lower than the over 100 percent requested by some network operators, was arrived at taking into account ongoing industry reforms that will positively influence sustainability,” the commission said.

In a statement issued , Joe Ajaero, president, NLC, denounced the tariff increase, calling it an unfair burden on those who are already facing financial difficulties.

He voiced concerns about the hike’s timing, pointing out that it comes while inflation and purchasing power are on the rise.

He said, “This decision, coming at a time when Nigerian workers and the masses are grappling with unprecedented economic hardship, is a clear assault on their welfare and an abandonment of the people to corporate fat cats.

“Telecommunication services are essential for daily communication, work, and access to information. Yet, an average Nigerian worker already spends approximately 10 percent of their wages on telecom charges.

“For a worker earning the current minimum wage of N70,000, this means an increase from N7,000 to a staggering N10,500 per month, or 15 percent of his salary—an unsustainable cost.

“NLC is not opposed to a tariff review but disagrees with the approved rate of increase. We therefore call on the government, the NCC, and the National Assembly to stop the implementation of this ill-advised hike to allow a reasonable conversation around it.

“If the dialogue agrees on the need for the hike, then we can all seek a more humane increase and definitely not this 50 percent hike,” he stated.

The NCC added that rate adjustments were made to close the gap between current tariffs and growing operating costs without compromising service delivery to customers.

Telcos had complained that a 300 percent increase in operational costs was forcing them to shut down.

WIOCC Group, a provider of digital infrastructure and connectivity solutions, is pleased to announce a strategic partnership with the Federal Ministry of Communications Innovation & Digital Economy (FMCIDE) of Nigeria.

This collaboration aims to accelerate the development of Nigeria’s digital economy through substantial investments in critical digital infrastructure and comprehensive stakeholder engagement.

The partnership, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), marks a significant milestone in the efforts to enhance digital connectivity and inclusion across Nigeria. Represented by the Honourable Minister, Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, and WIOCC Group’s Chief Development Officer, Mr. Darren Bedford, the agreement outlines a shared vision for fostering technical efficiency and collective prosperity.

The partnership focuses on enhancing stakeholder engagement by jointly reviewing and improving the National Policy on Telecommunications to meet digital economy needs. WIOCC Group commits to investing in Nigeria’s digital infrastructure, deploying a hyperscale open-access digital platform for internet service providers (ISPs) with advanced fibre and colocation facilities.

Additionally, through this partnership, the collaboration with the Nigerian Broadband Alliance for Nigeria aims to improve broadband quality and accessibility, with WIOCC expanding fibre infrastructure and partnering with ISPs to connect more homes and businesses. The partnership also includes WIOCC providing digital infrastructure training and supporting job creation for Nigerian youth.

Commenting on the partnership, WIOCC Group’s Chief Business Development Officer, Mr. Darren Bedford said, “The MoU with the Ministry of Communications underscores our commitment to supporting Nigeria’s digital transformation, by working together, we aim to create a robust digital ecosystem that benefits all stakeholders and drives sustainable economic growth”.

Dr ‘Bosun Tijani stated that “This collaboration with WIOCC Group represents a significant step forward in our commitment to ensuring that Nigerians have access to reliable and high-quality telecommunications services. We are committed to building a resilient digital infrastructure that fosters innovation, inclusion, and economic growth.

“Working with the private sector to deliver last-mile connectivity to homes and businesses, amongst other key benefits, is essential to achieving this vision, and we are excited about the opportunities this collaboration creates for empowering communities across Nigeria”.