The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has successfully pressured the Federal Government to reduce a planned hike in telecommunications tariffs from 50 percent to 35 percent. This change comes after intense negotiations between the NLC and government representatives, culminating in a meeting on Friday, February 21, 2025, that led to a breakthrough agreement.
The meeting, which took place at the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), saw a 10-man committee consisting of both government and NLC representatives working to address the concerns raised by the union. After hours of deliberations that started at 4 pm and concluded around 7 pm, the government was persuaded to agree to a 15 percent reduction in the proposed tariff increase.
An official communique from the government is expected to be released any time after Saturday, February 22, 2025, confirming the tariff reduction. The NLC’s demand for a complete withdrawal of the tariff hike has been partially met, and sources close to the talks say that the union will be closely monitoring the situation to ensure that the new tariff structure is implemented fairly.
The tariff hike had initially sparked outrage among Nigerian workers and the general public. On February 12, 2025, the NLC expressed its discontent over the sudden increase, accusing the telecommunications companies and the Federal Government of going against a previous agreement made with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). The NLC argued that the tariff hike would exacerbate the already difficult economic situation in the country and put further strain on Nigerian workers, many of whom rely heavily on mobile services for communication and business purposes.
The telecommunications companies, including MTN, Airtel, and Glo, had implemented the tariff hike despite the ongoing discussions between the NLC and government representatives. The NLC condemned this move, calling it a “betrayal of trust” and an example of corporate greed at the expense of the Nigerian people. The union had also warned that it would take further action if the tariffs were not reversed, including a nationwide shutdown of telecommunications services.
In response to the tariff hike, the NLC took immediate action, calling for a boycott of services provided by MTN, Airtel, and Glo. Starting from Thursday, February 13, 2025, Nigerian workers and concerned citizens were asked to refrain from using mobile services between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM each day until the end of February. The NLC’s leadership also urged workers to suspend the purchase of data from the affected telecom companies, accusing them of exploiting Nigerian consumers.
During their Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting in Lokoja, Kogi State, the NLC had issued a strongly worded communique condemning the tariff hike. The communique, signed by NLC President Joe Ajaero and General Secretary Emma Ugboaja, described the increase as “an affront to the principles of negotiation” and called for the immediate reversal of the decision. The union also demanded that the companies return to the previous tariff until a more thorough investigation and decision-making process could be completed.
“The CWC strongly condemns this action by the telecommunications companies, describing it as a betrayal of trust and a direct slap on the government and its institutions,” the statement read. The NLC vowed to continue its fight against what it called “corporate exploitation” and the government’s failure to protect the interests of workers and citizens.
After intense pressure from the NLC, the government appeared to bow to the demands of the union, agreeing to reduce the tariff hike by 15 percent. Although the reduction does not fully meet the NLC’s original demand for the hike to be reversed entirely, it is still seen as a significant concession. The NLC has expressed cautious optimism, but the union remains vigilant, ensuring that the new tariff structure is implemented fairly.
The telecom tariff issue was only one of several concerns raised by the NLC in recent months. The union has also been vocal about proposed changes to the country’s tax policies and transportation infrastructure. The NLC has expressed concern that the government’s tax reform bills could further burden Nigerian workers, who are already grappling with high inflation and economic uncertainty.
In its recent meeting, the CWC also discussed the government’s proposed Tax Reform Bills, warning that any changes should not negatively impact workers. The NLC has committed to engaging with the relevant authorities to ensure that tax reforms are designed to be fair and equitable for all Nigerians. The union has called for a worker-friendly approach to fiscal reforms, arguing that any policies that worsen the economic hardship of Nigerian citizens should be resisted.
The NLC also reviewed plans to introduce Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered buses in the North Central Zone of Nigeria, a move that is expected to alleviate the transportation challenges faced by workers in the region.
However, the NLC has made it clear that the battle is far from over. The union is committed to continuing its fight against what it sees as corporate exploitation and unfair government policies. It has urged Nigerians to remain united in their efforts to hold both telecom companies and the government accountable for the decisions that affect the livelihoods of ordinary citizens.
“The Nigeria Labour Congress remains committed to defending the rights and welfare of Nigerian workers and citizens. We will continue to resist exploitative economic policies and demand justice and fairness in telecommunications, taxation, and transportation policies,” the NLC stated in its communique.
