The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has announced plans for a nationwide mass rally on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, to protest the recent 50% increase in telecom tariffs approved by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
In a communiqué signed by NLC President Joe Ajaero on Wednesday, the decision was made during an emergency meeting of the union’s National Administrative Council (NAC). The rally aims to highlight the negative impact of the tariff hike on a population already grappling with economic hardships, including high petrol prices, escalating food costs, increased electricity tariffs, and general inflation, all while earning a minimum wage of only ₦70,000.
The NLC has directed its affiliates and state councils to begin full mobilization efforts and has called on civil society organizations to join the cause. It urged Nigerian workers, the informal sector, and the general public to stand together against what it described as an unjust policy. The NAC-in-session firmly rejected the tariff hike, deeming it excessively burdensome on citizens.
Condemning the NCC's decision, the NLC labeled the tariff increase as insensitive and unjustifiable, accusing it of exacerbating the economic struggles of Nigerian workers and the general populace. The union demanded an immediate suspension of the increase and urged the Federal Government, the NCC, and the National Assembly to engage in meaningful dialogue with stakeholders to review the proposed adjustment in light of the economic realities facing Nigerians.
Should their demands go unheeded, the NLC warned of further escalations, including the possibility of a nationwide boycott of telecommunication services and mass actions that could involve a withdrawal of services. The Congress reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the interests of Nigerian workers and citizens against exploitative policies, emphasizing that it will not relent in opposing decisions that undermine public welfare.
On January 20, the NCC announced its approval of a 50% tariff increase for telecom operators in Nigeria. According to a statement from NCC spokesperson Reuben Muoka, the price adjustment, though lower than the over 100% requested by some network providers, was determined based on ongoing industry reforms aimed at ensuring sustainability.
The NCC justified the hike under its regulatory powers as stipulated in Section 108 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003. It assured that the adjustments would remain within the tariff bands outlined in the 2013 NCC Cost Study and that requests would be reviewed on a case-by-case basis following the Commission’s standard tariff review practices. The regulator also stated that implementation would strictly adhere to the recently issued NCC Guidance on Tariff Simplification, 2024.
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