The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has suspended its planned nationwide protest against the 50% increase in telecommunication tariffs following a meeting with the Federal Government on Monday.

The decision was reached after discussions between the NLC and a government delegation led by Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume. The meeting aimed to maintain industrial harmony and protect the interests of Nigerians.

According to a statement signed by the Director of Information & Public Relations in the SGF’s office, Segun Imohiosen, the deliberation focused on reviewing the study conducted by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), which led to the tariff hike.

Speaking on behalf of the government, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, emphasized that the administration was committed to addressing the concerns raised by organized labour.

Following extensive discussions, both parties agreed to establish a 10-man committee consisting of five representatives from the Federal Government and five from the NLC to review the NCC study and submit its report within two weeks.

“Labour and the Federal Government have set up a committee of five each. We will meet continuously over the next two weeks, and at the end of this period, we will present recommendations to the government and organized labour for final consideration,” Idris said.

NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, stated that the union would await the committee’s findings before determining its next course of action.

The meeting was attended by key government officials, including Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijanni; Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida; Minister of Labour and Employment, Alhaji Mohammed Maigari Dingyadi; Minister of Budget and National Planning, Atiku Bagudu; and National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.

Last Wednesday, the NLC had declared its intention to hold a mass rally on February 4, 2025, protesting the tariff increase, which it described as unfair to struggling Nigerians. The union argued that the hike would worsen economic hardships, especially for a population earning a minimum wage of ₦70,000, already grappling with high petrol prices, rising food costs, increased electricity tariffs, and inflation.

With the suspension of the protest, all eyes are now on the committee’s findings and whether they will lead to a reversal or adjustment of the telecom tariff hike.