NLC plans nationwide rally against telecom tariff hike

The Nigeria Labor Congress (NLC) plans to hold nationwide protests on February 4, 2025, over a recent 50% increase in phone service costs.

Channels TV reports that the head of NLC, Joe Ajaero, announced this decision after an emergency meeting on Wednesday. The union sees this price hike as unfair to Nigerians who are already struggling with a low minimum wage of ₦70,000, high gas prices, rising food costs, expensive electricity bills, and growing inflation.

The NLC is asking its members and state offices to prepare for the protest rally and has invited civil society groups to join them. They want all Nigerian workers, informal workers, and the public to support their cause.

The union strongly opposes this 50% increase in phone service costs, calling it “harsh” for regular citizens. In their words:

Read also: NLC mobilises affiliates for February protests over 50% telecom tarrifs increase

“This decision is insensitive, unjustifiable, and a direct assault on Nigerian workers and the general populace, who are already burdened by worsening economic hardship foisted on them by Policies of government which was no fault of theirs.”

The NLC demands that the government immediately stop the 50% price increase and have meaningful discussions with key stakeholders about any future price changes. If these demands aren’t met, the NLC warns they might call for a nationwide boycott of phone services, take stronger protest actions, and organize a nationwide strike.

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) approved this price increase on January 20. While some phone companies wanted to raise prices by over 100%, the NCC limited the increase to 50%. They say this decision was made under their legal authority and takes into account ongoing industry reforms.

The NCC stated: “These adjustments will remain within the tariff bands stipulated in the 2013 NCC Cost Study, and requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis as is the Commission’s standard practice for tariff reviews. It will be implemented in strict adherence to the recently issued NCC Guidance on Tariff Simplification, 2024.”