The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has successfully pressured the Federal Government to reduce the proposed telecommunications tariff hike from 50% to 35%.
Sources informed Vanguard that this decision followed a meeting on Friday, February 21, 2025, between a 10-man committee of government and NLC representatives at the National Security Adviser’s office.
An official communique announcing the reduction is expected soon, likely by Saturday, February 22, 2025. The meeting, which began at 4 PM and ended at 7 PM, saw NLC representatives firmly demand a reversal of the tariff increase. After significant pressure, the government and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) agreed to reduce the hike by 15%.
On February 12, 2025, the NLC had strongly condemned the tariff hike, which occurred despite prior agreements with the Federal Government and the NCC. They demanded an immediate rollback, warning of severe consequences if the telecommunications companies did not revert to the old tariffs by the end of February 2025.
The NLC had further declared that from March 1, 2025, it would initiate a nationwide shutdown of telecom services if the tariff hike was not rescinded. As part of its protest, the NLC organized a boycott from February 13, 2025, directing workers and other willing citizens to refrain from using MTN, AIRTEL, and GLO services daily between 11 AM and 2 PM throughout February 2025.
In a communiqué released after their Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting in Lokoja, Kogi State, on February 11, the NLC called for a halt to the purchase of data from these telecom providers, which they accused of exploiting Nigerian citizens. The NLC also urged its State Councils and affiliate unions to begin mobilizing members and the public to resist the tariff hike.
In addition to the tariff issue, the NLC discussed the government’s proposed tax reform bills, emphasizing that any tax policies must not burden Nigerian workers further. They committed to engaging with the authorities to ensure the reforms are fair and worker-friendly.
The NLC reiterated its commitment to defending the rights of Nigerian workers and citizens, calling on all Nigerians to unite against what they described as exploitative policies in telecommunications, taxation, and transportation.
