The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called off its planned protest against the 50 percent increase in telecommunications tariffs.
This decision followed a meeting between the NLC and a federal government delegation led by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, on Monday.
A statement from Segun Imohiosen, Director of Information & Public Relations in the Office of the SGF, explained that the meeting was aimed at ensuring industrial harmony and safeguarding the interests of Nigerians.
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Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, representing the federal government, explained that the meeting was focused on reviewing the study by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) that led to the tariff increase.
After extensive discussions, both parties agreed to form a 10-member committee, with five members from the Federal Government and five from the NLC, to review the study and submit a report within two weeks.
“The outcome is that both the NLC and the federal government delegation have formed a joint committee of five members each.
We will continue meetings over the next two weeks, and at the end of the second week, we will present our recommendations to the government and organized labour for final consideration,” he said.
NLC president, Comrade Joe Ajaero, stated that the union would wait for the committee’s report before deciding on the next steps.
The meeting was attended by several key officials, including the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijanni, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, the Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, and others.
The NLC had previously announced plans for a nationwide mass rally on February 4, 2025, to protest the telecom tariff hike approved by the NCC.
The union argued that the increase was unfair to a population already burdened by high living costs, including rising fuel prices, food expenses, electricity tariffs, and general inflation.
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