TELECOMS TARIFF INCREASE: NIGERIAN GOVT MAKES LAST-DITCH EFFORT TO PREVENT NLC SHUTDOWN

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There are indications that the federal government will on Monday meet with the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, to stop the planned Tuesday nationwide protest against the 50 percent telecommunications tariff hike.

A reliable source familiar with the matter, who preferred anonymity, disclosed this on Monday morning, noting that the meeting between the NLC leadership and the federal government is scheduled for 5 p.m. on Monday.

The source said the meeting was a “dialogue on matters of national interest as it affects Nigerian workers.”

The source mentioned that the meeting will involve multiple government agencies and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and is aimed at addressing the concerns raised by the NLC about the federal government’s decision to increase telecommunications tariffs, which the NLC and its supporters strongly oppose.

At the same time, the NLC is organizing workers for a large protest on February 4 against the 50 percent tariff hike.

Last Thursday, NLC General Secretary Emma Ugboaja sent a letter to unions and state councils, urging them to rally additional support from Nigerians to send a strong message to the government.

The planned protest follows the Nigerian Communications Commission’s (NCC) approval of the 50 percent telecom tariff increase on January 20, 2025, which has faced significant resistance from telecom users.

Subscribers, led by Adeolu Ogunbanjo of the National Association of Telecoms Subscribers, have stated their intent to sue the federal government over the hike. Ogunbanjo proposed that any tariff increase should be limited to no more than 10 percent, given the existing financial strain on Nigerians.

In response, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy Bosun Tijani defended the 50 percent increase, attributing it to global inflation.