Business

50% telecom tariff hike: NATCOMS backs decision as NLC bows to FG’s pressure

Published

3 months ago

February 4, 2025

The Nigeria Labour Congress has bowed to pressure to halt its planned Tuesday nationwide protest against the 50 percent telecommunication tariff hike.

Also, the National Association of Telecoms Subscribers backed the decision by the organized Labour.

The NLC signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Federal Government after a meeting with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation on Monday night.

In the MoU signed by the SGF, Senator George Akume, NLC president Joe Ajaero, and the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammadu Dingyadi, and the National Secretary of NLC, Emmanuel Ugboaja, both parties agreed to set up a technical committee to resolve gray areas in the 50 percent telecom tariff approval.

However, NLC reiterated its rejection of the tariff hike.

“Arising from the meeting convened by the Federal Government of Nigeria on the proposed 50% hike in telecommunications tariffs in the country, which the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) expressed strong opposition to, citing its potential negative impact on the Nigerian workers and the economy with a threat to proceed on a one-day nationwide mass protest, the following resolutions were reached:

That there is a need for the parties to sit together in a technical group to resolve most of the thorny areas raised during the discussion; consequently, a 10-man joint committee was set up of five (5) representatives each from the Federal Government and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC); and the committee shall conclude and submit its deliberations within two (2) weeks from this 3rd day of February, 2025.

“The parties call on the Nigerian people to remain calm while this committee concludes its assignment,” the communique after the meeting stated.

Earlier, a civic society organisation known as the National Civil Society Council of Nigeria, NCSCN, had announced the suspension of its planned protest against the 50 percent tariff hike.

Recall that last week, NLC announced Tuesday, 4th February, 2025, as a date for a one-day mass protest against the telecom tariff hike.

In a notice last Thursday by NLC National Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja, the union had already asked the state congress and affiliate union to mobilise for Tuesday’s mass protest.

This comes after the Nigerian Communications Commission on January 2025 approved a 50 percent telecommunications tariff hike for operators.

The approval has sparked tariff hike controversy in Nigeria’s telecom sector.

NLC and other telecom subscribers had opposed the tariff implementation, citing the persistent economic hardship Nigerians already face.

Subscribers back nationwide protest suspension

On Monday, the National President of NATCOMS, Adeolu Ogunbanjo recommended suspension of the nationwide protest against the 50 percent tariff hike.

According to Ogunbanjo, the protest would hinder investors’ confidence and negatively impact investment in the sector.

NATCOMS had suggested that the government should review the 50 percent telecom tariff to 10 percent.

“NLC shouldn’t conduct mass protests that will affect investors’ confidence.“

The telecom sector has been a leading example in the country.“

NLC should not protest; that would send in wrong signals to investors. They should allow civility to reign in the telecom sector.

“That is why we are supporting only a 10 percent tariff hike for operators. If that is not enough, they should look elsewhere for capitalisation.

Mobilie Network Opertors such as MTN, Airtel. GLO had earlier said that it would soon implement the new tariff hike.

The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, ‘Bosun Tijani, had cited rising global inflation as justification for the 50 percent telecom tariff hike approval.

The hike would see the cost of recharging calls and data and other telecom services increase by 50 percent.

Recall that the last time NCC hiked telecom tariffs was in 2013.

Business

Nigeria’s non-oil exports climbed by 24.7% to $1.79 billion in Q1 – NEPC

Published

1 hour ago

April 29, 2025

Charles Flames

The Nigerian Export Promotion Council, NEPC, has said Africa’s most populous country’s non-oil exports increased by 24.75 percent to $1.791 billion in the first quarter of 2025.

The executive director of NEPC, Nonye Ayeni, disclosed this on Monday in Abuja.

According to her, the increase in non-export showed increased commitments and efforts towards improving the sector in the period under review.

“This year, the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) reported the highest value of export since it was established 49 years ago, with a year-on-year increase of 20.77 percent, from $4.517 billion in 2023 to $5.456 billion in 2024.

“Nigeria’s non-oil products exported in the first quarter of 2025 were valued at US$1.791 billion.

“This is a 24.75 percent increase over and above the $1.436 billion reported in the first quarter of 2024″, Ayeni stated.

Business

Petrol price drop pushing cooking gas costs downwards – IPMAN

Published

2 hours ago

April 29, 2025

Charles Flames

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria has explained how the reduction in the price of Premium Motor Spirit pushed the price of liquefied petroleum gas, popularly known as cooking gas, down.

This comes after due observation that the cost of refilling a 12.5-kilogramme cylinder of cooking gas reduced to N16,250 from N17,500 in some retail outlets in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

This means that 1kg of cooking gas is now sold for N1,300, from N1,400 last month in Abuja.

Meanwhile, in filling stations or gas stations, 1kg of cooking gas is sold between N1,050 and N1,150, compared to N1,200 and N1,400 in previous months, depending on the location in Abuja.

In Lagos State, the price of cooking gas fell to approximately N13,750.00 as of April 2025, depending on the area, from N17,283.58 for 12.5kg in November last year, according to National Bureau of Statistics data.

The downtrend in the price of LPG is also experienced in Edo, Delta, Niger, and other states in Nigeria, with consumers having to save at least N1,000 for refilling either a 12.55kg cylinder or a smaller quantity.

The development follows the recent drop in the price of petrol to between N910 and N950 per litre from N940 and N970 by Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited retail outlets, petrol retailers, and retail partners of Dangote Refinery.

According to the Nigerian Midstream Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA, the country consumes 1.4 million metric tonnes of LPG annually.

Accordingly, this translates to 1.4 billion kilogrammes. At the current average price of N1.4 billion per kilogramme, consumers will spend N1.82 trillion yearly, a reduction from N1.96 trillion.

While Nigeria produced 600,000 tonnes of cooking gas locally, the country imported 800,000 tonnes to meet the 1.4 million metric tonnes total yearly demand.

Reacting to the development, the spokesperson of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Chinedu Ukadike, said in an interview that the marginal drop in the price of LPG is expected following the reduction in the price of petrol.

According to him, alternative energy sources in the country’s downstream sector have impacted the price of competing products.

“When the petrol price was high, liquefied petroleum gas was used as an alternative to fuel for some generators.

“Now that the price of petrol is going down, the LPG marketers and producers have dropped their prices in line with the international factor and exchange rate.

“The alternative choice of energy in the downstream sector has impacted the prices of competing petroleum products. The pricing of petroleum products affects the behaviours of consumers.

“That is the beauty of deregulation.

“The price may drop further in the coming month depending on the international and domestic market matrix,” he said.

Business

FIRS Orders Banks to Close All Unauthorised Tax Collection Accounts

Published

13 hours ago

April 28, 2025

OCHEFA

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has directed banks to immediately identify and close any FIRS tax and levy collection accounts not authorized under the TaxPro Max system.

The FIRS Chairman, Zacch Adedeji, in the entitled Directive to Close Unauthorised FIRS Tax Collection Accounts,’ said “effectively immediately, all tax and levy collections on behalf of FIRS must be processed exclusively under an assessment raised on the TaxPro Max platform.

The TaxPro Max is a homegrown tax administration platform that facilitates tax-related activities, including registration, filing, payment, and issuance of tax clearance certificates, among others .

The decision was part of the ongoing efforts to boost efficiency and transparency in tax collection as well as ensure uniformity and seamless reconciliation of tax payments.

It said : ” All banks participating in the FIRS Collection, Remittance and Reconciliation Scheme are hereby advised to comply with this directive within the stipulated period.

“We count on your cooperation to ensure a smooth transition to this centralised system, thereby contributing to a more transparent and efficient tax collection process.”

FIRS urged taxpayers and other stakeholders to reach out to the Revenue Accounting and Refund Department (RAAD) in FIRS for any clarifications or support regarding the directive.”