NLC Suspends Planned Nationwide Protest Against Telecom Tariff Hike After Government Intervention

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has bowed to pressure and suspended its planned nationwide protest against the recent 50% increase in telecommunications tariffs.

The decision followed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the NLC and the Federal Government after a meeting held on Monday night with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume. The agreement, endorsed by NLC President Joe Ajaero, Minister of Labour and Employment Muhammadu Dingyadi, and NLC National Secretary Emmanuel Ugboaja, outlined the formation of a 10-man technical committee. This committee, comprising five representatives from both the government and the NLC, has been tasked with reviewing concerns surrounding the tariff hike and is expected to submit its findings within two weeks.

Despite the suspension of the protest, the NLC reaffirmed its opposition to the tariff increase, stressing its potential adverse effects on Nigerian workers and the broader economy.

In support of the decision, the National Association of Telecoms Subscribers (NATCOMS) also backed the protest suspension, with its President, Adeolu Ogunbanjo, emphasizing that mass protests could deter investor confidence in the telecom sector. Instead, NATCOMS recommended a more moderate 10% tariff adjustment rather than the proposed 50%.

Earlier, the National Civil Society Council of Nigeria (NCSCN) had also called off its planned demonstration against the tariff hike.

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) approved the tariff increase in January 2025, citing global inflation as a key reason. Mobile network operators, including MTN, Airtel, and GLO, have indicated they will soon implement the revised charges, which will raise costs for voice calls, data, and other telecom services.

The last major telecom tariff hike in Nigeria occurred in 2013.