The Nigerian government has reduced its proposed telecommunications tariff increase from 50% to 35% after strong opposition from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC). This decision came after a high-level meeting between government officials and labour leaders at the National Security Adviser’s office on February 21, 2025, which lasted approximately three hours.
During the meeting, NLC representatives vehemently rejected the planned hike, and their persistent pushback compelled both the government and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to lower the increase by 15%.
An official announcement confirming the new tariff structure is expected shortly. Previously, the NLC had condemned the proposed tariff hike, arguing that it violated an existing agreement with the government and telecom regulators. The union had warned that if the rates were not reversed by the end of February, it would initiate a nationwide shutdown of telecom services starting March 1, 2025.
To further protest the planned increase, the NLC had directed workers and the general public to boycott services from major telecom providers such as MTN, Airtel, and Glo daily between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM. Labour leaders also urged Nigerians to cease purchasing data from these companies, accusing them of exploiting consumers.
In a statement following a meeting in Lokoja, Kogi State, the labour leaders denounced the telecom providers for implementing the tariff hike before the committee’s review was completed, describing the move as a breach of trust and an attack on Nigerians already struggling with economic hardship.
