March 02, (THEWILL) – The Nigeria Labour Congress has directed its members and affiliates nationwide to remain on high alert for possible mass action if the Federal Government proceeds with a 50% increase in telecom tariffs, despite an earlier agreement to limit the hike to 35%.
The directive follows concerns that the government may renege on the agreement reached on February 21, 2025, between the NLC, the Federal Government, and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
The agreement had led to the suspension of a planned nationwide protest initially scheduled for February 4, with a joint committee established to review the proposed tariff increase.
In a statement issued after its National Executive Council meeting on Sunday in Yola, Adamawa State, the NLC warned the government against deviating from the terms agreed upon by the 10-man committee overseeing the matter.
The statement read, “Having extensively discussed these existential threats to the working class and the broader Nigerian masses, NEC-in-session resolves as follows: On the 35% tariff hike in telecommunications services, NEC acknowledges the agreement reached on February 21, 2025, which reduced the initially proposed hike from 50% to 35%.
“However, Congress remains vigilant, recognising the long history of broken agreements. NEC categorically warns that should the implementation of the agreement on March 1, 2025, not be as agreed, the National Administrative Council is mandated to immediately deploy all necessary instruments to enforce compliance, in line with the directive issued by the Central Working Committee on February 10, 2025.”
Meanwhile, the NLC has also reaffirmed its opposition to any further increase in electricity tariffs, vowing to resist attempts by the Ministry of Power and the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to impose additional charges on consumers.
It condemned the ongoing reclassification of electricity consumers by NERC, describing it as a “sham” aimed at unjustifiably moving customers into higher tariff bands under the guise of service improvements.
The Congress accused the government of aligning with monopolistic global capitalists to deepen economic hardship for Nigerians through relentless tariff hikes, increased taxation, and policies that primarily benefit the wealthy at the expense of the working class.
“Whereas inflation has soared, wages remain stagnant, and the cost of living has become unbearable, the ruling class continues to transfer the burden of their fiscal irresponsibility onto the already impoverished working masses,” the statement added.
The NLC reiterated its readiness to take decisive action if the government fails to honor its commitments, urging workers and citizens to remain united in the fight against economic policies that threaten their livelihoods.
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