FG Succumbs to pressure, reduces telecom tariff hike
Telecommunication tariffs have been reduced by the Nigeria government from 50% to 35% following enormous pressure from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
This decision is sequel to a meeting between government representatives and labour leaders at the National Security Adviser’s office last Friday.
The 3-hour meeting, saw NLC officials vehemently opposing the tariff increase.
After persistent demands, the government and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) agreed to lower the proposed hike by 15%.
An official announcement confirming the new tariff structure is expected soon.
The NLC had earlier criticized the tariff hike, arguing that it violated an agreement previously reached with the government and telecom regulators.
The union warned that if the new rates were not reversed by the end of February, a nationwide shutdown of telecom services would begin on March 1, 2025.
To push back against the increase, the NLC directed workers and the public to boycott MTN, Airtel, and Glo services daily from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
The union also urged people to stop purchasing data from these companies, accusing them of exploiting Nigerian consumers.
In a statement released after a meeting in Lokoja, Kogi State, labour leaders condemned the telecom companies for implementing the increase without waiting for the outcome of a committee’s review.
Labour described it as a breach of trust and an attack on Nigerians struggling with economic hardship.
