The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has declared a nationwide mass rally on 4 February over the 50 percent hike in telecommunications services by the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC).
After the NLC’s National Administrative Council (NAC) meeting in Abuja on Wednesday, its president, Joe Ajaero, said the hike was harsh on Nigerians.
In a communique issued at the meeting, the NLC chief said the tariff increase is coming as citizens deal with widespread inflation.
“The rally will serve as a warning on the dangers of imposing such an unfair increase on a struggling population earning a minimum wage of only N70,000,” he said.
“A population that has suffered outrageous hike in the price of petrol, high cost of food, hike in electricity tariff and general rising inflation.
“All NLC affiliates and state councils are directed to begin full mobilization in preparation for the February 4, 2025, nationwide protest rally. Willing civil society allies are also encouraged to join the preparation.”
The NLC wants the tariff hike to be suspended. It also wants the Nigerian government, the National Assembly, and the Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC) to dialogue with critical stakeholders to review the tariff adjustment.
The NCC approved the hike after telecommunications operators reported losses in their recent financial results.
Despite increasing revenue, the losses were caused by growing operational costs, attributed to a weakening naira and an increase in the price of fuel used to power telecommunications base stations.
The operators pushed for a 100 percent tariff hike but the government approved 50 percent.
