The Nigerian government is making a last-minute attempt to avoid a nationwide protest by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) set for Tuesday, February 4, 2025, in response to the recent 50% increase in telecommunications tariffs.
A well-placed source, who asked to remain anonymous, revealed on Monday morning that the federal government is scheduled to meet with the NLC leadership at 5 p.m. today to discuss the issue. The meeting, described as a “dialogue on matters of national interest,” aims to address concerns raised by the NLC and its allies over the controversial tariff hike.
The meeting will involve key government officials, including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), and is focused on finding a resolution to the NLC’s opposition to the approved tariff increase by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
A protest on the horizon
The NLC has been preparing for a large protest against the 50% telecom tariff hike. In a letter sent last Thursday, NLC General Secretary Emma Ugboaja urged unions and state councils to rally Nigerians for a mass demonstration on February 4.
The protest is in response to the tariff increase approved on January 20, 2025, by the NCC, which sparked a wave of dissatisfaction among telecom subscribers across the country.
Subscribers, led by the National Association of Telecoms Subscribers (NATCOMS) and its president Adeolu Ogunbanjo, have voiced their strong opposition to the hike. Ogunbanjo is even considering legal action, with plans to take the federal government to court over the decision.
The case against the hike
Ogunbanjo argued that if a tariff increase was necessary, it should not exceed 10%, given the difficult financial situation many Nigerians are already facing.
However, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, has defended the hike, attributing it to global inflation pressures. Despite this explanation, many Nigerians are still upset, and the NLC’s planned protest highlights the growing frustration.
With the government scrambling to prevent the planned shutdown, it remains to be seen whether today’s meeting will result in a compromise or if the protest will go ahead as scheduled.
