The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called off its planned protest scheduled for March 1, 2025, after reaching a compromise with the Federal Government on a 35% increase in telecom tariffs.
The decision follows negotiations that resulted in the reduction of an originally proposed 50% hike, which was announced in January 2025 by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
This agreement was welcomed by the National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers (NATCOMS), which expressed appreciation for the reduction but called for further relief measures for consumers. The telecom operators had initially sought a 100% tariff increase, citing rising operational costs due to inflation and currency devaluation, but the government intervened to moderate the hike.
A 10-member committee was formed to finalize the agreement, and according to insiders, the telecom tariff increase has now been lowered to 35% following successful negotiations between the NLC and the Federal Government. The union’s decision to call off the protest was confirmed by an NLC source, signaling that the protest would no longer proceed.
However, some within the NLC, such as Funmi Sessi, the Chairperson of the Lagos State chapter, criticized the government’s role in determining prices, describing it as an “anomaly.” She argued that any tariff adjustment should be gradual and not exceed 15%, given the prevailing economic challenges faced by many Nigerians.
Meanwhile, NATCOMS President Adeolu Ogunbanjo acknowledged the reduction in the tariff hike, describing the 15% cut as a result of consumer advocacy. However, he emphasized that telecom operators should consider further price reductions to alleviate the impact on subscribers.
The decision to reduce the tariff hike comes after considerable public concern over the impact on consumers, with many Nigerians already grappling with inflation and other economic difficulties.
While the Nigerian Communications Commission and industry groups such as the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) and the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) have yet to comment, the NLC’s decision to halt the protest reflects a significant development in the ongoing discussions between the government, labour unions, and telecom operators.
