Why NLC Suspended Protest Over Telecom Tariff Hike

Details emerging from the emergency meeting between the Federal Government (FG), Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) indicate that the absence of telecommunication stakeholders was a major reason no mutual agreement was reached on a percentage adjustment for telecom tariffs.

THE WHISTLER had earlier reported that the nationwide protest scheduled for February 4 was suspended less than 24 hours before its commencement.

The NLC and FG agreed to pause the action for two weeks to allow further deliberations.

As part of the resolution, the government agreed to establish a ten-man committee, comprising five representatives from each side, to review the entire tariff structure.

Speaking to THE WHISTLER on Tuesday, a stakeholder who attended the February 3 meeting in Abuja confirmed that the absence of telecom operators prevented further deliberations on a specific percentage increase.

According to a senior official, the effective date for the implementation remains March 1, 2025, meaning no adjustments have been made yet.

However, THE WHISTLER was told that “once a mutual agreement is reached by the NLC, NCC, and FG, then the telecom sector would be involved, which is effective on the immediate implementation of the ten-man committee.”

The source further explained that “the telecommunication stakeholders were not present; this is one of the major reasons why no agreement was reached; they were not invited.

“So, it was only the NCC stakeholders and the Minister of Communication alongside NLC delegators led by President Joe Ajaero.

“No percentage figure was agreed upon; however, this is dependent on the committee that would be set up.

“Currently, no proposal has been made behind closed doors by the NLC or the federal government.

“We are aware of the telecom position on the matter; safe to say the position of the NCC because they are regulators, they agreed on the 50 per cent increment against the 100 per cent earlier proposed. But we are pushing for a reduction.”

Regarding the formation of the ten-man committee, THE WHISTLER gathered that both parties were expected to submit their representatives by Tuesday evening.

“The federal government will send a five-man delegation, and the Congress on their end will send theirs today. This should be finalized before 5:00 PM.”

Despite the two-week suspension, NLC President Joe Ajaero had warned that the union’s next steps, including protests, boycotts, or service withdrawals, would be determined by the committee’s final recommendations.

Why NLC Suspended Protest Over Telecom Tariff Hike is first published on The Whistler Newspaper