The Federal Government has called for an urgent meeting with labour leaders today in a bid to prevent the nationwide protest tomorrow by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and its civil society allies against the recently approved 50% increase in telecommunications tariffs.
Sources indicate that the meeting will also address NLC’s strong opposition to the N8 billion budget earmarked for electricity bill sensitization, which the labour movement has condemned as “the height of profligacy, wastefulness, and corruption.”
According to Vanguard, a government insider from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), which is hosting the meeting, disclosed that the discussions would commence at 5 p.m.
The source described it as a “dialogue on matters of national interest as it affects Nigerian workers.”
The inter-ministerial meeting, to be chaired by the SGF, aims to find common ground regarding the federal government’s decision to increase telecom tariffs—a move that has been met with fierce resistance from the NLC, its allies, and other concerned stakeholders.
“The meeting will also discuss the N8 billion proposed budgetary allocation in 2025 for electricity bill sensitization by the federal government. And because there are other meetings already fixed by the government for Monday, the meeting had to be fixed for 5 p.m. after the FEC meeting,” the source added.
Labour Leaders Stand Firm on Protest
Meanwhile, NLC has intensified efforts to mobilize workers for tomorrow’s mass protest against the tariff hike.
Labour sources confirmed that NLC leaders would attend the meeting but remained resolute in their stance. “There is no way we will accept the 50 per cent telecommunications tariffs hike,” a union official stated.
Last Thursday, the NLC had instructed its affiliate unions and state councils to ensure full mobilization of workers and allies for tomorrow’s demonstration.
In a letter dated January 30, NLC General Secretary Emma Ugboaja urged affiliate unions and state councils to rally support among Nigerians to send a strong message to the government.
The letter to state councils stated: “In response to the resolution of the meeting of the National Administrative Council, NAC, to resist the proposed 50% hike in the tariff of telecommunication services and all other forms of policies that afflict Nigerian workers and masses, all state councils of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, are directed to begin immediate mobilization of members of their councils in their respective states for a one-day peaceful protest rally.
“The rally shall take place in various state capitals and FCT on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, by 7:00 a.m. You are expected to coordinate all affiliates in your states and work with volunteering civil society partners resident in your state for an effective rally.
“The rally procession should lead to any NCC office in the state, where not available, to the state House of Assembly where our petition will be presented. Further developments shall be made available.
“At this time of massive hardship, your unwavering support and determination is critical to defending ourselves and our nation from policies that emasculate us for the benefit of corporate fat cats.”
Similarly, the letter to affiliate unions echoed the call for immediate mobilization: “In response to the decision of the National Administrative Council’s resolution to resist the proposed hike in the tariff of telecommunication services and all forms of policies that afflict Nigerian workers and masses; all industrial unions affiliated to the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, are requested to begin immediate mobilization of their members across the nation for a one-day peaceful protest rally.
“The rally shall take place in various state capitals across the nation and Abuja on Tuesday, the 4th of February, 2025, by 7:00 a.m.
“At this time of massive hardship, your unwavering support and action is critical to defending ourselves and our nation from policies that emasculate us for the benefit of corporate fat cats.”