The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has suspended its planned nationwide protest against the recent 50 per cent increase in telecom tariffs approved by the Federal Government.

The decision to halt the demonstration, which was scheduled for Tuesday (today), followed a high-level meeting between the labour union and government representatives at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation in Abuja on Monday.

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the country’s telecom regulator, had previously defended the tariff hike, citing rising operational costs due to inflation, foreign exchange fluctuations, and increased energy expenses.

In a statement, the NCC explained that the adjustment was made in accordance with its mandate under the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003, which requires the regulator to ensure the financial sustainability of the telecom sector.

Despite these justifications, the NLC rejected the hike, demanding a significant reduction to five per cent, and warned of a mass protest if its demands were not met. The union argued that the increase was insensitive and unjustifiable, as it would further burden Nigerian consumers who were already struggling with the country’s harsh economic realities.

Following a National Administrative Council (NAC) meeting, NLC President Joe Ajaero reaffirmed the union’s opposition to the hike.

"After extensive discussions, NAC-in-session totally rejects the 50 per cent telecom tariff hike, which it considers too harsh for citizens. It, therefore, strongly condemns the Nigerian Communications Commission’s decision to approve the increase," Ajaero stated.

He further criticized the move as an attack on Nigerian workers and the general populace, adding that the decision was taken without proper consultations with key stakeholders, including organized labour.

In response to the tariff hike, the NLC called on Nigerians to prepare for a nationwide boycott of telecommunication services as a form of protest.

Despite the NLC’s resistance, telecom operators maintained that the price increase was necessary to sustain service quality and support network expansion in an increasingly difficult economic environment.

Gbenga Adebayo, Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), dismissed calls for a reduction, arguing that the industry was already operating under severe financial strain.

"This increase is a lifeline that enables us to survive. Anything lower would be like giving someone who needs 100 litres of oxygen only a fraction—barely enough to keep them alive but insufficient for long-term survival," he asserted.

Determined to resist the hike, the NLC had mobilized key sectors, including electricity and aviation workers, as well as civil society groups, to participate in the planned demonstration.

However, following Monday’s meeting, the labour union resolved to suspend the protest pending further discussions with the government.

Addressing journalists after the meeting, NLC President Ajaero confirmed that the government had agreed to set up a broader committee to reassess the tariff structure.

"We emphasized that the NLC is the largest organization in Africa, and no stakeholder consultation can exclude us and still stand. On that basis, they agreed to form a broader committee to ensure a fair and inclusive review of the entire tariff structure," Ajaero stated.

The committee, consisting of five representatives from both the government and organized labour, has been given two weeks to submit its findings.

"The committee will be made up of five representatives from both sides and is expected to present its recommendations within two weeks. The outcome of this process will determine our next course of action, whether it be protests, boycotts, or even service withdrawals," Ajaero explained.

As part of the suspension, the planned symbolic submission of protest letters to government agencies was also put on hold, pending the committee’s final report.

Beyond telecom tariffs, the NLC also expressed concerns over other pressing economic issues, including the rising cost of electricity and the burdensome tax regime imposed on workers.

"We have also expressed our displeasure over the high electricity tariff and the unbearable tax regime, which is killing workers. These remain unresolved issues that must be addressed," Ajaero stressed.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed that the NCC had conducted a study that led to the decision to increase telecom tariffs.

According to Idris, labour has now agreed to review the study before making further demands.

"The crux of the matter is that there is already a study conducted by the NCC that led them to this 50 per cent increase. Labour has now agreed to review that study, and a small committee has been set up to do so within the next two weeks. At the end of this period, a final resolution will be considered by both the government and organized labour," Idris said.

The minister emphasized that the labour union and government representatives had mutually agreed to this approach, eliminating the need for immediate protests.

"Both the organized labour, particularly the NLC, and the government have sat down and agreed on this position. So, there won’t be any protest tomorrow (today) by the Nigeria Labour Congress. Instead, a report will be developed in two weeks to finalize discussions on the tariff increase," he added.

Meanwhile, the National Civil Society Council of Nigeria (NCSCN), which had initially backed the NLC’s protest, also announced the suspension of its planned demonstrations.

The council, representing over 600 affiliate organizations, had previously condemned the tariff hike and planned to stage mass protests at the NCC headquarters and the National Assembly.

However, after extensive deliberations and a forensic review of the economic realities facing telecom service providers, the council reversed its stance and agreed to participate in the committee’s review process instead.

With the labour protest suspended, all eyes are now on the committee’s findings, which will determine the next phase of discussions between the government, labour unions, and telecom industry stakeholders.