The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has announced plans to hold a nationwide mass rally on February 4, 2025, to protest the 50% increase in telecom service tariffs recently approved by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
NLC President, Joe Ajaero, made the announcement in a communique issued after the union’s National Administrative Council (NAC) meeting held in Abuja on Wednesday.
Ajaero strongly criticized the tariff increase, describing it as “too harsh for the citizens” and urging the government to suspend it immediately.
“The NAC-in-session rejects the 50 per cent telecom tariff hike because it places an unbearable burden on Nigerians, who are already struggling with rising costs of living,” he said.
He explained that the planned mass rally would serve as a warning to the government about the dangers of imposing such an increase on people already facing economic hardship.
“This rally is a clear statement of our opposition to this arbitrary tariff hike,” Ajaero said. “We cannot remain silent while Nigerians, who earn a minimum wage of just N70,000, are forced to bear more financial hardship.”
The NLC leader directed all its affiliates and state councils to begin full mobilization ahead of the February 4 protest, urging civil society groups to join the movement.
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“The congress calls on all Nigerian workers, the informal sector, and the general public to stand in solidarity against this unjust policy,” Ajaero said.
He stressed that Nigerians have already endured multiple price hikes, including: an increase in fuel prices, soaring food costs, higher electricity tariffs, and general inflation affecting basic necessities.
“With all these economic pressures, adding a 50% increase in telecom tariffs will only worsen the suffering of Nigerians,” he said.
Ajaero urged the federal government, the NCC, and the National Assembly to enter into meaningful discussions with stakeholders to review the tariff hike.
He warned that if the government fails to listen to the concerns of Nigerians, the NLC may escalate its actions beyond the February 4 protest.
“If these demands are not met, the Nigeria Labour Congress will consider a nationwide boycott of telecommunication services,” he said. “Other actions may include a mass withdrawal of services and wider nationwide protests to resist policies that deepen poverty and inequality.”
Ajaero reaffirmed the NLC’s commitment to defending Nigerian workers and citizens from what he described as exploitative economic policies.
“We will not relent in our struggle against policies that undermine the welfare and dignity of our people,” he declared.
With less than a week until the planned protest, Nigerians are watching closely to see how the government and the telecom regulatory authorities will respond to the growing backlash.