Telecom Tariff Hike: NLC Begins Nationwide Protest Feb 4

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has announced a nationwide protest set for Tuesday, February 4, 2025, in response to the recent approval of a 50% increase in telecommunications tariffs by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

The decision was reached yesterday after the NLC’s National Administrative Council (NAC) emergency meeting.

The NLC condemned the tariff hike as “insensitive and unjustifiable,” arguing that it places an additional financial burden on Nigerian workers and the general public, struggling with rising inflation, high food prices, electricity tariff increases, and the lingering effects of petrol subsidy removal.

LEADERSHIP reported that the labour centre rejected the NCC’s decision last week, calling for its immediate suspension.

The union warned that Nigerian workers, earning a minimum wage of N70,000, could not afford the increase, which it described as a “direct assault” on the people.

Despite its initial call for dialogue, the government has yet to address the union’s concerns, prompting the latest decision to mobilise for mass action.

In a communique signed by the NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, the congress directed all its affiliates and state councils to begin full mobilisation before the February 4 protest rally.

The labour union further warned that if the government fails to reverse the tariff increase, it may escalate its actions, including a potential nationwide boycott of telecommunication services and a broader industrial action.

The communique reads, “NAC-in-session rejected the 50% Telecom Tariff Hike, which it considers as too harsh for citizens.

The NLC will embark on a nationwide mass rally on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, to express our collective opposition to this arbitrary tariff hike. The rally will serve as a warning on the dangers of imposing such an unfair increase on a struggling population earning a minimum wage of only N70,000, a population that has suffered outrageous hikes in the price of petrol, high cost of food, hikes in electricity tariff and general rising inflation. ”

“All NLC affiliates and state councils are directed to begin full mobilisation in preparation for the nationwide protest rally on February 4, 2025. Willing civil society allies are also encouraged to join the preparation.

The congress calls on all Nigerian workers, the informal sector, and the general public to stand in solidarity against this unjust policy”.

“NAC-in-session demands an immediate suspension of the 50% tariff hike. It calls on the Federal Government, the Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC) and the National Assembly to engage in meaningful dialogue with critical stakeholders to review the proposed tariff adjustment within the context of Nigerians’ economic realities.

Should these not be heeded, the Nigeria Labour Congress will escalate its actions, including the possibility of a nationwide boycott of telecommunication services and further mass actions that may involve nationwide withdrawal of our service to resist policies exacerbating poverty and inequality. “