The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has put its affiliates on alert for a potential nationwide protest against the recent hike in telecommunications service tariffs and the proposed electricity band migration plans.
This decision was reached during the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Yola, Adamawa State, where labour leaders expressed concerns over the government’s failure to uphold agreements on pricing adjustments.
Labour Rejects Telecom Tariff Hike and Electricity Reclassification
The NLC’s warning follows its skepticism about the government’s commitment to implementing the agreement reached on February 21, 2025, which reduced the proposed telecommunications tariff increase from 50% to 35%. The labour body made it clear that it will not hesitate to take action if the agreement is not properly enforced.
Additionally, the NLC strongly condemned the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission’s (NERC) plan to reclassify electricity consumers under the guise of service improvement. According to the congress, the strategy is a disguised attempt to impose unjustified tariff hikes by forcefully migrating consumers from lower bands to the more expensive Band A.
In a communique, NLC President Comrade Joe Ajaero and General Secretary Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja described the move as “economic violence.” They accused NERC and the Ministry of Power of deliberately exploiting struggling Nigerians and warned that any further increase in electricity tariffs would trigger nationwide protests.
Labour Demands Implementation of Agreements
The communique issued by the NEC reads in part:
“NEC categorically warns that if the agreement is not implemented as agreed by March 1, 2025, the National Administrative Council (NAC) is mandated to immediately deploy all necessary measures to enforce compliance, in line with the February 10, 2025, Central Working Committee (CWC) directive.”
On the proposed electricity tariff reclassification, the NEC firmly rejected what it described as a “sham reclassification” by NERC, which aims to forcefully push consumers into higher tariff bands under false pretenses.
“This systematic exploitation, sanctioned by the Ministry of Power, is nothing short of economic violence against the working class and the broader Nigerian populace,” the statement added.
Labour Movement on High Alert
The NLC reaffirmed its commitment to resisting all forms of exploitation and oppression, urging affiliates, industrial unions, and progressive allies to remain vigilant and ready for mass action against policies that burden the Nigerian people.