Originally scheduled for March 1, 2025, the Nigeria Labour Congress has canceled its protest after allegedly agreeing to a 35% rise in telecom rates with the Federal Government.
On Thursday, the National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers reportedly approved the decision, pushing the government to implement additional relief measures for telecom operators.
For example, the Nigerian Communications Commission announced a 50% rise in telecommunications charges on January 20, 2025, the first significant change in more than ten years.
A 100% increase was first suggested by telecom providers, which were facing increased operational expenses as a result of inflation and currency depreciation, but a reassessment was prompted by government action.
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The anticipated rate hike was lowered from 50% to 35% as a result of a compromise reached during negotiations with the federal government, according to NLC sources. A committee of ten members was established to finalize the agreement.
According to an NLC insider, the development was confirmed: “Have you not heard that the FG and the NLC have reached an agreement? It was decided by the 10-member committee to lower the telecom tariff hike from 50% to 35%.
However, the insider said, “That should be obvious,” when asked if this meant the scheduled protest would no longer go place.
The NLC’s Lagos State chapter chairperson, Funmi Sessi, criticized the Federal Government for authorizing the 35% pricing hike in a previous interview, calling it an extra burden on already struggling Nigerians.
In what way can the Federal Government set prices? “It’s an exception,” she said.
Given the current state of the economy, Sessi insisted that any tariff changes be made gradually and shouldn’t go above 15%.
Upah Benson, the NLC’s public relations officer, revealed that the union’s National Executive Council would sit today (Friday) to discuss the matter in more detail.
Subscribers to Telecom Respond to Tariff Change
The initial proposal for a 50% tariff rise was lowered to 35%, which was applauded by Adeolu Ogunbanjo, president of the National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers.
