The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a stern warning to the Federal Government, threatening nationwide protests if plans to increase electricity tariffs are implemented.
This decision emerged from the NLC’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Yola, Adamawa State, where the congress also inaugurated Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-driven mass transit buses for the North East Zone.
The NLC expressed strong opposition to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission’s (NERC) ongoing reclassification of electricity consumers, which aims to migrate consumers from lower tariff bands to Band A under the guise of service improvement.
The congress described this move as “economic violence against the working class and broader Nigerian populace”
In a communiqué issued after the NEC meeting, the NLC stated:
“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.”
The congress warned that any attempt to announce further electricity tariff increases would be met with mass resistance and resolved to mobilize for a nationwide protest should the Ministry of Power and NERC proceed with their plan.
Additionally, the NLC addressed concerns over a proposed 35% increase in telecommunications tariffs. While acknowledging an agreement reached on February 21, 2025, between the NLC and the Federal Government to reduce the initially proposed 50% hike to 35%, the congress remains vigilant and warns that any deviation from the agreed terms will be met with decisive action.
