More than a month after the Federal Government, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), and Organized Labour reached an agreement to reduce the recently implemented telecommunications tariff hike from 50% to 35%, there has been no official confirmation or action on the promised 15% reduction.
Despite the agreement, telecom operators have fully implemented the 50% tariff increase, with no indication of compliance with the revised 35% hike. The silence from both the government and the NCC has fueled speculation that the authorities may have backtracked on their commitment, leaving consumers burdened with higher telecom costs amid economic hardship.
Background of the Tariff Dispute
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) had earlier opposed the tariff hike, arguing that it was exploitative and would further worsen the economic difficulties faced by Nigerians. In response to mounting pressure and threats of industrial action, the government and NCC agreed to lower the increase from 50% to 35%.
To finalize the adjustments, a 10-member committee—comprising five representatives each from the government and the NLC—was established to review the new tariff structure and submit a report within two weeks.
On February 21, 2025, the committee met at the office of the National Security Adviser and, after a three-hour discussion, agreed to a 15% reduction. Sources at the meeting indicated that an official statement announcing the reduction was expected on February 22, 2025. However, no such announcement has been made.
NLC Accuses Government of Deception, Mobilizes for Protests
With no sign of implementation, the NLC has expressed deep frustration and now believes the government may have deceived them to stall planned protests. As a result, the NLC is preparing direct action against the NCC and telecom operators.
A senior NLC official, speaking to Vanguard, stated:
“We have received directives to begin mobilization. The date for industrial action against the NCC and telecom operators is fixed, but we are not revealing it yet. We thought this issue had been settled over a month ago, but it appears we have been scammed. We are ready to take action.”
NLC’s Planned Boycott and Nationwide Shutdown Threat
On February 12, 2025, the NLC issued a strong statement condemning the tariff hike, accusing the government and the NCC of breaching their agreement. The labour union demanded an immediate reversal of the increase, warning that if telecom operators failed to comply by February 29, 2025, a nationwide shutdown of their operations would commence on March 1, 2025.
As part of its protest strategy, the NLC instructed workers and the general public to:
- Boycott MTN, Airtel, and Glo services daily from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. throughout February 2025.
- Suspend the purchase of data and airtime from these telecom companies.
- Engage in mass sensitization campaigns against perceived telecom exploitation.
The resolutions were contained in a communiqué issued after the NLC’s Central Working Committee meeting in Lokoja, Kogi State, on February 11, 2025. The document, signed by NLC President Joe Ajaero and General Secretary Emma Ugboaja, called on all NLC State Councils and union affiliates to mobilize their members for the impending industrial action.
Uncertainty Looms Over Tariff Reduction
With the Federal Government and the NCC remaining silent and telecom companies unwilling to roll back the 50% increase, tensions continue to rise. If the government fails to address the issue, Nigeria may witness a full-scale disruption of telecommunications services, further impacting businesses and daily life.
As the deadline approaches, all eyes are on the government, NCC, and telecom operators to see whether they will honor their commitment or brace for a nationwide protest led by the NLC.
