Mr. Joe Ajaero, NLC President (centre) at the FG-NLC parley at the Aso Villa…yesterday, February 3.
In a bid to avert a nationwide protest, the federal government and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) have reached an agreement for temporary suspension of any demonstration against the recent 50% increase in telecommunications tariffs.
The suspension, which will last for two weeks, in the first instance, followed a high-level meeting held on Monday, February 3, 2025, between government officials led by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume and NLC leaders, led by Joe Ajaero
As part of the agreement, a 10-member committee made up of five members from each team has been set to review the report of the tariff hike and propose solutions that balance the interests of telecom operators and consumers.
The committee is expected to deliver its findings within the two-week window.
“We emphasised to them that the NLC is the largest organization in the whole of Africa, and there is no consultation of stakeholders that does not include us that will stand. It was on that premise that they agreed to have a larger committee to look at the entire tariff structure and model to come up with a realistic and all inclusive agreement,” Ajaero told journalists at the end of the meeting.
“So the committee will be made up of five, five from both sides, and expected to come up with a result after two weeks. that will determine the next line of action and the process of engagement. The symbolic action of submitting the letters tomorrow will be put on hold until the outcome of the committee’s work.
“The outcome of the committee deliberations will determine our next line of action in terms of protest, in terms of boycott, in terms of even withdrawal of services, which are the three issues put on the line.
“But I want to use this particular meeting to put in our displeasure at the electricity tariff hikes and the new tax regime, which have become unbearable. So, those are actions that are still on course, you know, until they are addressed. That’s the summary of the meeting.”
Minister of information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris said: “Well, as you can see, we have been engaging with members of Nigeria Labour Congress, the leadership, the president, secretary, and other members of the Executive Council of the NLC.
“We have met here under the chairmanship of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. We have the Minister of Finance and the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, the Minister of Budget, the Minister of Communication, Minister of Labour and myself, and, of course, the executive vice chairman of the NCC.
“We have deliberated at length. The crux of the matter is that there is already a study that was conducted by the NCC that led them to arrive at this 50% increase.
“Now we are discussing this with labour and labour has agreed that they will look at that study, and then a small committee has been set up to look at that study once again and come up with a final resolution for the consideration of the government and labour in about two weeks time.
“So the summary of it is that labour and the Nigerians Labour Congress specifically, and the delegation of the federal government, have set up a committee of five each.
“We’re going to meet here continuously for the next two weeks, and at the end of the second week, we will now come up with a recommendation that will be given to the government and the organized labour for final consideration.
“Now, I think what has happened here has effectively taken out that position (protests). Both of us have agreed. And in fact, it is an attempt to put a stop to that (protests) that led us to make this meeting happen today.
“So this meeting has happened both the organized labour, the NLC, particularly the government People have sat down here and have agreed on this position so there won’t be any protest tomorrow by Nigerian Labour Congress, and there will be some form of report that will come up in about two weeks from now to consider the study and other considerations by both parties.”
The controversy arose after the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) approved a significant increase in telecom tariffs, citing rising operational costs and inflation.
The NLC strongly opposed the hike, describing it as “anti-people” and a further burden on already struggling Nigerians.
Consequently, the Congress announced plans for a nationwide protest scheduled to begin on February 4, 2025.
The Federal Government’s intervention came as tensions escalated, with fears that the protest could disrupt essential services and worsen public discontent.
During Monday’s meeting, both parties committed to resolving the issue through dialogue rather than confrontation.
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