The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called off its planned protest set for March 1, 2025, after reaching an agreement with the Federal Government on a 35% increase in telecommunications tariffs.
News About Nigeria reports that the decision was met with support from the National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers, which urged further relief measures for consumers.
The Nigerian Communications Commission had earlier announced a 50% hike in telecom tariffs on January 20, 2025.
This marked the first major increase in over ten years.
Telecom operators, struggling with inflation and currency depreciation, had initially proposed a 100% rise, but government intervention led to negotiations.
Discussions between the NLC and the government resulted in a compromise, reducing the planned 50% increase to 35%. A 10-member committee was set up to finalize the deal.
A senior NLC official confirmed that an agreement had been reached, making the protest unnecessary.
“Have you not heard that an agreement has been reached between the NLC and the FG? The 50 per cent hike in telecom tariff has been reduced to 35 per cent as agreed by the 10-man committee”, the source said.
However, some labour leaders expressed dissatisfaction, arguing that any tariff adjustment should be gradual and not exceed 15% due to economic hardships.
The President of the National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers, Adeolu Ogunbanjo, acknowledged the reduction but insisted on further measures to lessen the burden on consumers.
He noted that his group was not part of the committee that reviewed the rates.
“I believe it is 35 per cent, but this is based on what I heard from sources. “That information has been out there since Monday”, Ogunbanjo said.
