NLC puts affiliates on alert over telecom, electricity tariffs hike

•urges Nigerians to prepare for mass action

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has directed its 54 affiliates to be on alert for a mass action should the Federal Government carry out implementation of the telecommunication services charge contrary to the terms of agreement reached by the 10-man committee.

While it also warned that any more increase in electricity tariff will be met with great resistance, the NLC also urged every industrial union and progressive allies in the country to prepare to join the Congress in decisive mass action against all anti-people policies of the government.

Contained in communique issued at the end of its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Yola the capital of Adamawa State, the Congress expressed its vigilance to ensure that no form of indefinite in keeping to the terms of the agreement is perpetuated by the government or telecom operators.

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Jointly signed by NLC President and General Secretary, Comrades Joe Ajaero and Emmanuel Ugboaja, communique reads; “The National Executive Council (NEC) of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) convened in Yola, Adamawa State, to commission its Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) driven Mass Transit Buses for the North East Zone of Nigeria and to deliberate on pressing economic onslaught being waged against Nigerian workers and the downtrodden by the neoliberal policies of some state institutions, specifically the recent hike in telecommunications tariffs and the disturbing plot to further increase electricity tariffs.

“Having extensively discussed these existential threats to the working class and the broader Nigerian masses, NEC-in-session resolves as follows: On the 35% Tariff Hike in Telecommunications Services: NEC acknowledges the agreement reached on February 21, 2025, between the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the federal government through the Joint 10-Man Committee, which reduced the initially proposed telecommunications tariff hike from 50% to 35%.

“However, Congress remains vigilant, recognizing the long history of infidelity. NEC categorically warns that should the implementation of the agreement on March 1, 2025, not be as agreed, the National Administrative Council (NAC) is mandated to immediately deploy all necessary instruments to enforce compliance in line with the February 10th, 2025 Central Working Committee (CWC) directive.”

On the Migration of Electricity Consumers with a view to increasing tariff, the communique said that “NEC unequivocally rejects the ongoing sham reclassification of electricity consumers by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), which seeks to forcefully migrate consumers from lower bands to Band A under the guise of service improvement while, in reality, imposing unjustified extortion on the masses. This systematic exploitation, sanctioned by the Ministry of Power, is nothing short of economic violence against the working class and the broader Nigerian populace.

“It is evident that the ruling elite, acting as enforcers of global monopoly capital, are determined to further deepen the misery of the Nigerian people through incessant tariff hikes, increased taxation, and relentless economic strangulation. Whereas inflation has soared, wages remain stagnant, and the cost of living has become unbearable, the ruling class continues to transfer the burden of their fiscal irresponsibility onto the already impoverished working masses.

“NEC-in-session warns that any attempt to announce further electricity tariff increases will be met with mass resistance. Consequently, the Congress resolved to immediately mobilize for a nationwide protest should the Ministry of Power and NERC proceed with their exploitative plan to further hike electricity tariffs under any guise. The NLC shall not stand idly by while the Nigerian people are subjected to the unholy machinations of capitalist profiteers and their state collaborators.”

Furthermore, the NLC said; “NEC reaffirms the historical responsibility of the working class to resist all forms of exploitation and oppression. It calls on all affiliates, industrial unions, and progressive allies to remain on high alert and fully prepared to engage in decisive mass action against all anti-people policies of the state. The Congress reiterates that no society can sustainably develop under a regime of corporate plunder and neoliberal enslavement. The Nigerian working people must, therefore, remain resolute, organized, and uncompromising in the collective struggle for a fair and equitable Nigeria where the dominance of fat cats at the expense of the masses will be greatly reduced to create a socioeconomic balance.”

On the State of the Labour Party, the statement said; “After carefully examining the unfortunate events in the Labour Party, which was a creation of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and the opaqueness that pervades its activities, NEC-in-session directed the National Administrative Council (NAC) to take immediate steps which may include; rebranding, merger or forming of Coalitions to defend the interests of NLC and Nigerian workers in the Party with a view to reclaiming the Party and returning it to its original ideological roots.

“The Congress will not allow the Labour Party to be hijacked by reactionary forces who do not represent the aspirations of the working people and broader Nigerian People. The NLC remains committed to ensuring that the Party remains a true vehicle for the emancipation of Nigerian workers and the oppressed masses.”