Kehinde Fajobi
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has suspended its planned nationwide protest against the 50% hike in telecom tariffs after reaching an agreement with the federal government to review the increase.
The protest, scheduled for Tuesday, was put on hold following a meeting on Monday with government officials at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation in Abuja.
NLC President Joe Ajaero confirmed the suspension, stating that a broader committee had been formed to reassess the tariff structure.
He said, “After extensive discussions, the following resolutions were reached: NAC-in-session totally rejects the 50 per cent telecom tariff hike, which it considers too harsh for citizens.
“It, therefore, strongly condemns the Nigerian Communications Commission’s decision to approve the increase.”
“This decision is insensitive, unjustifiable, and a direct attack on Nigerian workers and the general populace, who are already suffering under worsening economic hardship caused by government policies beyond their control.”
The union had initially threatened to boycott telecom services if the government failed to lower the tariff to 5%.
However, Ajaero announced that both sides had agreed to set up a committee with five representatives each from the government and labour to review the tariff study conducted by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
The committee is expected to submit its findings in two weeks.
Ajaero said, “So, the committee will be made up of five representatives from both sides and expected to come out with a result after two weeks. That will determine the next line of action and the process of engagement.”
The Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria, Gbenga Adebayo, defended the increase, saying it was necessary to sustain telecom operations amid rising costs.
“This increase is a lifeline that enables us to survive. Anything lower would be like giving someone who needs 100 litres of oxygen only a fraction—barely enough to keep them alive but insufficient for long-term survival,” he said.
Meanwhile, Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris stated that the NCC arrived at the tariff hike based on a study.
He said, “The crux of the matter is that there is already a study that was conducted by the NCC that led them to arrive at this 50 per cent increase. Now, we are discussing this with Labour.”
“Labour has agreed that they will look at that study, and then a small committee has been set up to look at that study once again and come up with a final resolution for the consideration of government and Labour in about two weeks.”
The National Civil Society Council of Nigeria (NCSCN), which had earlier planned to join the protest, also suspended its participation after a high-level meeting with the NCC.
NCSCN Executive Director Blessing Akinlosotu said the council had initially prepared for a confrontation but changed its position after reviewing the economic realities facing telecom providers.
He said, “After the tense and robust engagement with the Management of NCC, we further set up a 5-Man Technical Committee to carefully study documents presented to us, and asked the Committee to do clinical and forensic examination of available records of operational costs and annual profits margins of some major Telecom Service Providers in Nigeria, with critical assessments of Financial Statements.”
The committee’s findings indicated that telecom operators had not raised tariffs since 2013 despite rising inflation and energy costs.
With the protest now on hold, the NLC has warned that further actions, including boycotts and service withdrawals, will depend on the committee’s final recommendations.