NCC, NLC, the 4th of February Protest: A Reality Check

By Ahmad Sajoh

The recent tariff adjustment by telecommunication operators in Nigeria has sparked a heated debate, with the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) threatening to hold a protest on February 4th. However, a closer examination of the situation reveals that the NLC’s stance may be misguided.

The truth is that the telecom industry has been operating on a tariff system that has not been adjusted since 2013, despite significant increases in operational costs.

The minimum wage, for instance, has more than doubled since 2013, from N30,000 to N70,000. Other operational costs, such as fuel, electricity, and the value of the Naira, have also increased substantially. It is unfair to expect the telecom industry to absorb these costs without a corresponding increase in revenue. The NLC’s demand for a freeze on tariffs is unrealistic and may ultimately harm the consumers they claim to represent.

The NLC’s demand for a freeze on tariffs is unrealistic and may ultimately harm the consumers they claim to represent

The telecom industry is a critical sector that has become vital to the economic well-being of the nation. It provides employment opportunities, both directly and indirectly, and its services are essential for the functioning of other sectors, such as banking. The industry’s role in job creation is cross-cutting, involving practically all sectors of the economy.

Rather than protesting the tariff adjustment, the NLC should be advocating for a more nuanced approach that takes into account the complexities of the telecom industry. They should be demanding service efficiency, expanded access, and improved quality of service from the operators.

The regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), should ensure that the operators provide tariff information and conditions affecting consumption patterns, allowing consumers to manage their usage and extract maximum value for their money.

The NLC’s planned protest on February 4th is a misadventure that is unlikely to gain public support. The Nigerian public is wiser today, and the scales have fallen off their eyes. They can see that the argument in favor of a cost-reflective tariff system is more compelling than the NLC’s grandstanding.

The NLC’s planned protest on February 4th is a misadventure that is unlikely to gain public support

The consequences of the telecom operators divesting from Nigeria are too dire to contemplate, and the NLC should be working to find a solution that benefits both the operators and the consumers.

In conclusion, the NCC has acted in the best interest of Nigeria and Nigerians by approving the tariff adjustment. The NLC should focus on advocating for service efficiency, expanded access, and improved quality of service, rather than protesting a necessary adjustment. The planned protest on February 4th is a lame horse, and the NLC should reconsider their stance before it’s too late.