The House of Representatives Committee on Communications and the Nigerian Communications Commission have urged the Nigeria Labour Congress to cancel its planned nationwide protest on February 4, 2025.
The NLC had vowed to protest against the recent 50 per cent increase in telecom tariffs approved by the NCC, saying it would worsen the economic hardship already faced by Nigerians.
The union argued that the hike was unfair, especially for a population struggling with a N70,000 minimum wage, high fuel prices, rising food costs, and increased electricity tariffs.
Speaking on the issue, the Chairman of the House Committee on Communications, Peter Akpatason, said the panel was already engaging the NLC and telecom operators to prevent the protest.
“The committee that I chair is already reaching out to the leadership of labour and the industry operators to avert any action that would rather bring more hardship to the people,” Akpatason said.
He explained that telecom companies were facing serious challenges, including poor funding for infrastructure, which had affected service quality and network coverage. He urged the NLC to consider these issues before taking to the streets.
Similarly, the NCC’s Director of Public Affairs, Reuben Mouka, confirmed that the commission was in talks with the NLC.
“We are trying to engage them,” Mouka said to journalists.
Despite these efforts, the NLC has not yet announced whether it will cancel the planned protest.
