Nigerian Trade Union Congress Rejects Tinubu’s Toll Gates, Tariff Hikes, Threatens Nationwide Protests
The communique jointly signed by TUC President, Festus Osifo, and Secretary General, Dr. Nuhu A. Toro, emphasised that while tolling can be a legitimate means of generating revenue for road maintenance, it is unjust to impose tolls on roads that are in disrepair.
The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has issued a stern warning to the President Bola Tinubu-led Nigerian government, threatening a nationwide protest if it fails to halt policies that exacerbate economic hardship for Nigerians.
In a communique issued after its 1st Quarter 2025 meeting in Abuja, on Thursday, the TUC’s National Administrative Council (NAC) condemned the government’s “unacceptable” level of exploitation.
The union specifically rejected the proposed introduction of toll gates on roads and a speculated 65% hike in electricity tariffs, citing the unfair burden these would place on already struggling Nigerians.
The communique jointly signed by TUC President, Festus Osifo, and Secretary General, Dr. Nuhu A. Toro, emphasised that while tolling can be a legitimate means of generating revenue for road maintenance, it is unjust to impose tolls on roads that are in disrepair.
“The Congress, therefore, demands that all roads earmarked for tolling must first be fixed, properly tarred, and repaired to international standards before any discussion on tolling can be entertained.”
On the proposed 65% increase in electricity tariffs, the Congress condemned it, describing as alarming that the government is considering this hike when the previous increment has already inflicted severe hardship on citizens.
“This proposed increase is not only ill-timed but also a deliberate act of economic oppression against Nigerians, who are already struggling under unbearable economic conditions.”
It reminded the government that the improved service quality promised during the last tariff hike, particularly for consumers under the so-called “Band A” category, has not been realized. “Most consumers, regardless of their tariff band, continue to live in perpetual darkness.”
The Council observed that the root cause of escalating prices and galloping inflation was the government excessive devaluation of the naira, which has seen the continuous increase in the prices of goods and services.
“In February 2024, the TUC addressed a world press conference, where it clearly stated that the excessive devaluation of the naira was the primary cause of rising inflation and the continuous increase in the prices of goods and services. The Congress also warned that this trend would worsen inflation in 2024, impacting virtually every sector of the economy and severely affecting the social and economic well-being of Nigerian workers and the masses if the solutions it canvassed were not adopted.
“Twelve months later, our position remains unchanged, as the symptoms of this root cause have manifested clearly. These include the skyrocketing prices of essential goods, the escalating costs of social services, the proposed hike in telecom tariffs, the increase in electricity tariffs (with plans for further increments), the rising prices of petroleum products amongst others.
“The TUC remains focused on addressing the root cause of these economic challenges rather than merely reacting to the manifested symptoms. To this end, the TUC demands a better foreign exchange (FX) management regime from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) as the naira is currently undervalued, as confirmed by both local and international experts.”
On the planned 50% increase in telecom tariffs, NAC fully endorsed the position of Labour Center, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), in rejecting the move noting that the decision was made without proper consideration of its economic impact on the masses.
“There must be meaningful engagement to explore alternatives and ensure that any policy adjustments are fair, sustainable, and do not further burden already struggling citizens.”
The Council, however, stated that government has reluctantly and intentionally in not engaging Organised Labour before policies are implemented, while emphasised that effective policymaking requires inclusive consultation with critical stakeholders before implementation, especially when policies impact the general public.
“Engaging labor unions, civil society organisations, industry experts, and community representatives ensures that policies are well-informed, balanced, and widely accepted. Failure to consult often leads to resistance, unintended consequences, and potential crises.”
“We therefore call on government to prioritise stakeholder engagement and uphold democratic principles, that promote policies which truly serve the people’s interests.”
The Congress said it also strongly condemned any attempt to suppress unionisation in the private sector, describing it is as a fundamental right protected by national and international Labour laws.
It warned that denying workers the right to unionise violates their freedom of association and will not be tolerated.
“Unionisation is crucial for fair wages, job security, and improved working conditions. The TUC warns that any employer engaging in anti-union practices will face strong resistance. The Congress urges the government to take decisive action against violations, reaffirming its commitment to protecting workers’ rights.”
