Osamagbe Imadiyi
The planned nationwide protest against the 50% increase in telecommunications tariffs was called off by the Nigeria Labour Congress after they gave in to pressure. Additionally, the National Association of Telecom Subscribers supported organized Labour’s decision.
The NLC met with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation on Monday night and reportedly signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Federal Government.
Both parties agreed to establish a technical committee to address any ambiguities in the approval of the 50 percent telecom tariff in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by NLC President Joe Ajaero, SGF Senator George Akume, Minister of Labor and Employment Muhammadu Dingyadi, and NLC National Secretary Emmanuel Ugboaja. Nonetheless, NLC reaffirmed that it opposes the tariff increase.
“The following resolutions were reached at the meeting called by the Federal Government of Nigeria regarding the proposed 50% increase in telecommunications tariffs in the country, which the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) strongly opposed, citing the potential negative impact on Nigerian workers and the economy and threatening to proceed with a one-day nationwide mass protest:
“A 10-member joint committee comprising five (5) representatives from the Federal Government and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) was established in response to the necessity for the parties to convene in a technical group to address the majority of the contentious issues brought up during the discussion. The committee is expected to complete and submit its findings within two (2) weeks of this third day of February, 2025.” The parties urge the Nigerian people to maintain composure as this committee completes its work,” the post-meeting communique said.
Adeolu Ogunbanjo, the National President of NATCOMS, suggested in a Monday speech that the nationwide demonstration against the 50% tariff increase be put on hold. Ogunbanjo claimed that the demonstration would undermine investor confidence and have a detrimental effect on sector investment.
“NLC should refrain from protesting since that would give investors the wrong impression. The telecom industry should be allowed to operate with civility. The NLC should refrain from holding large-scale demonstrations that could undermine investor trust.
“One of the nation’s best examples has been the telecom industry. For this reason, we are only in favor of a 10% increase in operator tariffs. “They should seek capitalization elsewhere if that is insufficient,” he said.
