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.