The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has decided to suspend its planned protest set for March 1, 2025, after reaching an agreement with the Federal Government regarding the 35% increase in telecom tariffs. The decision has been welcomed by the National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers (NATCOMS), which has called for additional relief measures for telecom users.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) had initially announced a 50% hike in telecom tariffs on January 20, 2025. This was the first significant adjustment in over a decade. Telecom companies, struggling with rising operational costs due to inflation and currency depreciation, had initially proposed a 100% increase. However, after government intervention, the proposed increase was reduced to 50%.
After a series of negotiations between the NLC and the Federal Government, a compromise was reached, lowering the tariff increase to 35%. A 10-member committee was formed to finalize the agreement.
A source within the NLC confirmed, “Have you not heard that an agreement has been reached between the NLC and the FG? The 50 per cent hike in telecom tariff has been reduced to 35 per cent as agreed by the 10-man committee.”
When asked if the planned protest would be canceled, the source responded, “That should be obvious.”
Meanwhile, Funmi Sessi, Chairperson of the Lagos State chapter of the NLC, criticized the government’s approval of the tariff hike, arguing that it placed an unfair burden on Nigerians who are already facing economic hardship.
“How can the Federal Government be the one determining prices? This is an anomaly,” she said.
She also suggested that any tariff adjustment should be gradual and not exceed 15%, considering the financial struggles of many citizens.
The NLC Public Relations Officer, Upah Benson, also stated that the union’s National Executive Council would hold a meeting today (Friday) to discuss the matter further.
The President of NATCOMS, Adeolu Ogunbanjo, welcomed the reduction of the proposed increase from 50% to 35%. However, he also urged telecom operators to introduce further relief measures to ease the impact on consumers.
“I believe it is 35 per cent, but this is based on what I heard from sources,” Ogunbanjo told The PUNCH. “That information has been out there since Monday.”
He added that the 15% reduction resulted from consumer advocacy and pressure but insisted that telecom companies should consider more reductions to help subscribers cope.
“We fought, and at least a 15 per cent reduction is something,” he said.
