NLC Declares Nationwide Protest Against 50% Telecom Tariff Hike
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has announced a nationwide mass rally scheduled for February 4, 2025, to protest the recent 50% increase in telecommunications tariffs approved by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). The decision followed an emergency meeting of the union’s National Administrative Council (NAC) on January 29, 2025.
The NCC’s tariff hike, described by the NLC as “insensitive” and “unjustifiable,” has drawn sharp criticism from the labor union. In a communiqué released on January 30, the NLC condemned the move, stating it exacerbates economic hardships faced by Nigerians already grappling with soaring inflation, high fuel costs, and rising electricity bills.
Union Condemns Hike as “Direct Assault”
The NAC-in-session “totally rejected the 50% telecom tariff hike which it considers as too harsh for citizens,” labeling the NCC’s decision “a direct assault on Nigerian workers and the general populace.” The communiqué emphasized that the policy targets a population “already burdened by worsening economic hardship foisted on them by policies of government which was no fault of theirs.”
Citing the current minimum wage of ₦70,000, the NLC argued that the hike disproportionately affects low-income earners.
“This decision is insensitive… Nigerian workers have suffered outrageous hikes in the price of petrol, high cost of food, hike in electricity tariff, and general rising inflation,” the statement read.
Mobilization for Mass Action
The union directed its affiliates, state councils, and “willing civil society allies” to mobilize for the February 4 protest, urging solidarity from workers, informal sector participants, and the public. It warned of escalated actions, including a potential nationwide boycott of telecom services, if demands are ignored.
“The Congress calls on all Nigerian workers… to stand in solidarity against this unjust policy,” the communiqué stated, demanding an “immediate suspension” of the tariff hike. It further urged the federal government, NCC, and National Assembly to engage stakeholders in dialogue, stressing the need to align policies with “economic realities facing Nigerians.”
Threat of Escalation
The NLC vowed to “resist any policy that prioritizes corporate profits over the well-being of the people,” threatening a “nationwide withdrawal of service” if its demands are unmet. “We will not relent in our struggle against policies that undermine the welfare and dignity of our people,” the statement concluded.
