The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has begun mobilising workers for a nationwide protest on February 4, 2025, aiming to shut down the economy in opposition to the tariff increase.
This follows the dismissal of calls by the Federal government from telecom subscribers and citizens to reduce or reverse the recently approved 50% telecom tariff hike.
Subscribers’ Appeal Ignored
The National Association of Telecoms Subscribers (NATCOMS), in a letter dated January 24, 2025, urged the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to scale down the hike from 50% to 10%.
Signed by its national president, Adeolu Ogunbanjo, the letter described the tariff hike—alongside rising fuel and electricity prices—as excessive and burdensome for Nigerians.
“It is regrettable that the Commission seems to have abandoned its duty of protecting consumers from telecom operators’ relentless drive for profit,” the letter stated.
Subscribers pleaded with the NCC and the government to reconsider the decision.
“We urge the NCC to advise telecom operators to seek alternative funding sources instead of implementing this tariff hike. Even if an increase is necessary, a 10% adjustment would be a more reasonable balance,” the letter added.
Despite the appeal, the government and its regulatory agency have yet to reconsider the decision as of Thursday morning.
NLC’s Planned Protest
On Wednesday, NLC President Joe Ajaero announced a mass mobilisation to resist the tariff hike, calling it “insensitive, unjustifiable, and a direct assault on struggling Nigerians.”
“To oppose this arbitrary increase, NLC will stage a nationwide mass rally on February 4, 2025,” Ajaero stated.
He emphasised that the increase disproportionately affects citizens already burdened by high fuel costs, inflation, and a minimum wage of just N70,000.
The NLC urged Nigerian workers, the informal sector, and the general public to stand in solidarity against the policy, warning of its potential economic consequences.
