Sequel to the intervention of the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has suspended its planned nationwide protest against the recent 50 percent hike in telecom tariffs.

It was gathered that the organised labour put on ice its planned billed for Tuesday, February 3, 2025, after meeting with government representatives at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation in Abuja, on Monday.

Recall that the telecom regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), in defending the 50 percent tariff increase, cited rising operational costs driven by inflation, foreign exchange fluctuations, and higher energy expenses.

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According the NCC’s statement on the matter, the adjustment was in line with its mandate under the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003 to ensure the financial sustainability of the telecom sector.

The regulator’s stance, however, infuriated the NLC, who rejected the tariff hike and demanded a reduction to five percent, and threatened a nationwide protest if its demands were not met.

The NLC condemned the hike as insensitive and unjustifiable, because it would impose an extra burden on Nigerian consumers.

The President, NLC, Joe Ajaero, reiterated its demand for a significant reduction after the National Administrative Council meeting of the NLC.

He said, “After extensive discussions, the following resolutions were reached: NAC-in-session totally rejects the 50 percent telecom tariff hike, which it considers too harsh for citizens. It, therefore, strongly condemns the Nigerian Communications Commission’s decision to approve the increase.

“This decision is insensitive, unjustifiable, and a direct attack on Nigerian workers and the general populace, who are already suffering under worsening economic hardship caused by government policies beyond their control.”

The NLC called on Nigerians to prepare for a nationwide boycott of telecommunication services in protest against the increase.

Despite the union’s pressure, telecom operators remained firm that the current adjustment was necessary to maintain service quality and support network expansion in an increasingly challenging economic environment.

They ruled out negotiations with organised labour on the tariff increase, insisting that no reduction would be made despite the labour threat.

In the opinion of the Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Gbenga Adebayo, the approved increase is vital to sustaining telecom operations amid escalating costs.

“This increase is a lifeline that enables us to survive. Anything lower would be like giving someone who needs 100 litres of oxygen only a fraction — barely enough to keep them alive but insufficient for long-term survival,” he asserted.

In the bid to ensure maximum impact, the NLC mobilised the electricity, aviation workers and civil society groups for the protest.

However, following the Monday meeting, the NLC resolved to put on ice the demonstration to give room for further discussions.

Ajaero told the media after the meeting that the government had agreed to set up a larger committee to review the entire tariff structure.

According to him, the committee will be composed of five representatives from both sides and is expected to submit its findings within two weeks.

Ajaero stated, “We emphasised that the NLC is the largest organisation in Africa, and no stakeholder consultation can exclude us and still stand. On that basis, they agreed to form a broader committee to ensure a fair and inclusive agreement to look at the entire tariff structure as a model to come out with a realistic and all-inclusive agreement.

“So, the committee will be made up of five representatives, from both sides and expected to come out with a result after two weeks. That will determine the next line of action and the process of engagement.’’

He outlined that NLC’s probably next steps, would include protests, boycotts, or service withdrawals, depending on the outcome of the committee’s work.

“The symbolic action of submitting the letters tomorrow (today) will be put on hold until the outcome of such a committee. The outcome of such a committee is what will determine our next line of action in terms of protest, in terms of boycott, in terms of even withdrawal of services, which are the three issues we put online,” he explained.

While the planned symbolic submission of protest letters had been put on hold, Ajaero noted that the NLC remains concerned about other pressing economic issues, including electricity tariffs and burdensome taxes on workers.

“We have also expressed our displeasure over the high electricity tariff and the unbearable tax regime, which is killing workers. These remain unresolved issues that must be addressed,” the labour leader said.

On his part, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, maintained that the NCC raised the tariff following a study.

He stated that the NLC agreed to look at the study to come up with its resolutions, adding that a committee of five representatives each from both sides had been instituted.

The minister said, “The crux of the matter is that there is already a study that was conducted by the NCC that led them to arrive at this 50 percent increase. Now, we are discussing this with Labour.

“Labour has agreed that they will look at that study, and then a small committee has been set up to look at that study once again and come up with a final resolution for the consideration of government and Labour in about two weeks.

“So, the summary of it is that the Nigeria Labour Congress and the delegation of the Federal Government have set up a committee of five each.

“We are going to meet here continuously for the next two weeks, and at the end of the second week, we will now come up with a recommendation that we will give to the government and the organised Labour for final consideration.

“Both the organised Labour, the NLC particularly, and the government people have sat down here and have agreed on this position.

“So, there won’t be any protest tomorrow (today) by the Nigeria Labour Congress, and there will be some form of report that will come up in about two weeks from now to consider the study and other considerations by both parties.”