NLC Mobilizes Workers for Protest as Government Seeks Resolution Over Telecom Fee Increase
The federal government is set to meet with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Monday in a bid to prevent a nationwide protest scheduled for Tuesday, February 4, against the controversial 50 percent telecommunications tariff hike. A reliable source familiar with the situation revealed that the meeting will take place at 5 p.m. on Monday, with the intention of resolving the issues surrounding the tariff increase.
The discussions are expected to involve key government officials, including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), in an inter-ministerial dialogue with the NLC leadership. The talks will focus on the NLC’s opposition to the approved hike in telecom tariffs, which has sparked widespread criticism among workers and the general public.
Tensions Rise: NLC Plans Protest Against Telecom Tariff Increase, Government Calls for Dialogue
The NLC has been actively mobilizing workers and other concerned citizens for a mass protest against the 50 percent increase in telecommunications tariffs, approved by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on January 20, 2025. General Secretary of the NLC, Emma Ugboaja, sent out a letter to affiliate unions and state councils urging them to rally Nigerians in preparation for the demonstration. The NLC’s planned protest reflects growing frustration over the hike, which many Nigerians argue will exacerbate existing economic hardships.
Federal Government in Urgent Talks with NLC to Halt February 4 Protest Over Tariff Hike
In response to the planned protest, the government has scheduled urgent talks with the NLC in a last-ditch effort to defuse the situation. According to the anonymous source, the government hopes to resolve the matter before the protest takes place, emphasizing the need for dialogue on issues affecting Nigerian workers. The meeting is seen as a crucial step in preventing potential unrest and finding common ground on the telecom tariff dispute.
NLC Mobilizes Workers for Protest as Government Seeks Resolution Over Telecom Fee Increase
The 50 percent increase in telecom tariffs, approved by the NCC, has met with fierce opposition from various groups, including the National Association of Telecoms Subscribers (NATS), led by Adeolu Ogunbanjo. NATS has even threatened legal action against the government over the hike, demanding that any tariff increase should be capped at no more than 10 percent given the current economic conditions in Nigeria.
Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, has defended the hike, attributing it to global inflationary pressures. However, with mounting public opposition and the NLC’s planned protest, the federal government is facing increasing pressure to revisit its decision and address the concerns of Nigerian workers and consumers.
