In a high-stakes move to prevent a nationwide protest, the Federal Government is set to meet with the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) today at 5 p.m. to discuss the controversial 50 percent hike in telecommunications tariffs.
A reliable source, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the emergency dialogue, describing it as an inter-ministerial meeting with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) aimed at addressing the NLC’s concerns.
The meeting comes amid mounting opposition to the tariff increase, with organized labor and consumer advocacy groups mobilizing for a massive demonstration scheduled for Tuesday, February 4.
Last Thursday, NLC General Secretary Emma Ugboaja issued a directive urging affiliate unions and state councils to rally Nigerians against what he termed an unfair and unbearable burden on citizens.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) had approved the tariff adjustment on January 20, 2025, sparking widespread backlash from telecom subscribers and advocacy groups.
The National Association of Telecoms Subscribers, led by Adeolu Ogunbanjo, has already threatened legal action against the Federal Government over the hike, arguing that any increase should be capped at 10 percent to reflect the economic realities facing Nigerians.
Despite the pushback, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, defended the tariff adjustment, citing global inflation as a key factor necessitating the price revision.
With tensions running high and the protest looming, all eyes are on today’s meeting as both parties seek a resolution that could determine the fate of telecom pricing and labor-government relations in Nigeria.