The House of Representatives Committee on Communications is engaging with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to prevent the nationwide protest scheduled for February 4, 2025, over the recent 50% increase in telecom tariffs. The committee is seeking a resolution that would ease tensions and prevent further economic strain on Nigerians.
Chairman of the committee, Peter Akpatason, revealed in an exclusive interview on Sunday that discussions were already underway with both labour leaders and telecom industry operators. He also stressed that allowing the protest to proceed could worsen the hardship already faced by many citizens.
Akpatason however assured that the committee was working to find a balanced solution that would address both the concerns of telecom operators and the public. He emphasized the need for dialogue rather than actions that could further disrupt economic activities.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) recently approved the tariff hike, citing rising operational costs in the telecom sector. However, the decision sparked public outrage, with the NLC strongly opposing the move and calling for mass action to demand a reversal.
