National Telescope national telescope newspaper
By Ekpenyong Emmanuel
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has taken a strong stance against the recent 50% increase in telecommunications tariffs approved by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
In a communique issued after an emergency meeting of the National Administrative Council (NAC), the NLC rejected the tariff hike, condemning it as “insensitive, unjustifiable, and a direct assault on Nigerian workers and the general populace”.
The communique, signed by NLC President Comrade Joe Ajaero, stated that the rally would serve as a warning against the increase. “To express our collective opposition to this arbitrary tariff hike, the NLC will embark on a nationwide mass rally on Tuesday, February 4, 2025.”
The NLC argued that the tariff hike would exacerbate the economic hardship faced by Nigerians, who are already struggling with a minimum wage of only ₦70,000.
The communique emphasized that the rally would be a warning to the government and the NCC to reconsider the tariff hike.
The NLC has directed its affiliates and state councils to mobilize for the nationwide protest rally, calling on all Nigerian workers, the informal sector, and the general public to stand in solidarity against the policy.
The Congress has also demanded an immediate suspension of the 50% tariff hike and called for a meaningful dialogue with stakeholders to review the proposed tariff adjustment.
Should the government and the NCC fail to heed the NLC’s demands, the Congress has threatened to escalate its actions, including a nationwide boycott of telecommunication services and further mass actions.
