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BREAKING: NLC Forces FG to Reduce Telecom Tariff Hike By 15%

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1 month ago

Feb 22, 2025.

Labour forced the government to cut the telecom tariff hike from 50% to 35%.
The NLC threatened protests and a telecom boycott over high charges.
The government and NCC agreed to a reduction after intense negotiations.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has successfully pressured the Federal Government to reduce the proposed telecommunications tariff hike from 50% to 35%.

Eko Hot Blog reports that this decision followed a crucial meeting between representatives of the government and the NLC at the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) on Friday, February 21, 2025.

Sources confirmed that after intense deliberations, which lasted from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, the government and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) conceded to a 15% reduction in the planned increase. A formal communique announcing the decision is expected to be released on Saturday, February 22, 2025.

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Labour’s Resistance to the Tariff Hike

The dispute began when telecom operators announced a 50% tariff hike on February 11, 2025, despite an agreement with the Federal Government and NCC to hold discussions before implementing any changes.

The move sparked outrage among Nigerian workers and the public, prompting the NLC to take immediate action.

The labour union declared a nationwide protest against the tariff hike, warning that failure to revert to the old tariff structure by the end of February would lead to a total shutdown of telecom operations nationwide starting March 1, 2025. As part of its resistance strategy, the NLC directed Nigerian workers and the general public to boycott MTN, Airtel, and Glo services daily from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

Mobilization Against Exploitative Charges

The NLC leadership, through a communique signed by its President, Joe Ajaero, and General Secretary, Emma Ugboaja, called for widespread mobilization and sensitization of workers and citizens against the tariff hike.

It urged NLC State Councils and affiliate unions to take active roles in spreading awareness about what they described as “corporate exploitation of Nigerian citizens.”

The communique strongly condemned the telecom companies, labeling the increase as a betrayal of trust and a blatant disregard for government institutions and Nigerian consumers.

It accused the telecommunications firms of engaging in “regulatory capture” by influencing policy decisions to favor their financial interests over the welfare of ordinary Nigerians.

Government’s Response and Concession

Following persistent pressure from organized labour and civil society groups, the Federal Government convened a 10-man committee, including representatives from the NLC and the NCC, to review the tariff structure.

Labour representatives in the committee insisted on a total reversal of the hike, arguing that Nigerians were already burdened by economic hardships.

Faced with mounting public pressure and the possibility of a nationwide telecom shutdown, the government and telecom operators agreed to lower the hike by 15%, reducing the initial 50% increase to 35%.

However, labour leaders have vowed to continue monitoring the situation to ensure that the reduction is implemented and that Nigerians are not subjected to unjustified price increases in the future.

Broader Economic Concerns

Beyond telecommunications, the NLC also addressed other pressing economic issues, including the proposed Tax Reform Bills.

The congress emphasized that while tax reforms are necessary for national development, they should not exacerbate the financial struggles of Nigerian workers.