NLC Suspends Protest as Telecom Subscribers Accept 35% Tariff Hike

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called off its planned protest after reaching an agreement with the Federal Government to reduce the proposed telecommunications tariff hike from 50% to 35%.

According to The PUNCH, the decision was welcomed by the National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers (NATCOMS), which also urged the government to implement additional relief measures for consumers.

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) had initially announced a 50% tariff increase on January 20, 2025—the first major adjustment in over a decade. Telecom operators had initially pushed for a 100% hike due to rising operational costs caused by inflation and currency depreciation before the government intervened.

An insider from the NLC told The PUNCH that negotiations led to the compromise of a 35% increase, and a 10-member committee has been set up to finalize the agreement. The NLC’s Public Relations Officer, Upah Benson, stated that the National Executive Council would meet to further deliberate on the matter.

Speaking to The PUNCH, NATCOMS President Adeolu Ogunbanjo welcomed the reduced tariff hike but urged the government to implement additional measures to cushion its impact on consumers.

The NCC and industry groups, including the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria and the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria, have yet to comment on the development.