The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has announced plans to hold a nationwide mass rally on February 4, 2025, in protest against the Nigeria Communications Commission’s (NCC) decision to increase telecom service tariffs by 50%.
NLC President, Joe Ajaero, made this known in a communique issued after the Congress’s National Administrative Council (NAC) meeting in Abuja on Wednesday.
According to Ajaero, the NAC firmly opposes the tariff hike, describing it as excessively burdensome for Nigerians. He stated that the planned rally would serve as a warning about the negative impact of such an unfair increase on citizens, especially those struggling with a minimum wage of just N70,000.
He highlighted the hardships already faced by Nigerians, including the rising cost of petrol, expensive food prices, increased electricity tariffs, and inflation.
To ensure maximum participation, Ajaero directed all NLC affiliates and state councils to begin full mobilization for the protest. He also invited willing civil society organizations to join in the preparations.
The NLC urged Nigerian workers, informal sector operators, and the general public to unite against what it described as an unjust policy.
Furthermore, Ajaero called for the immediate suspension of the tariff hike and urged the Federal Government, NCC, and the National Assembly to engage in meaningful dialogue with key stakeholders. He emphasized that any review of telecom tariffs must take into account the economic realities faced by Nigerians.
