TUC Rejects Proposed 65% Electricity Tariff Hike, Issues Strong Warning

The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has strongly opposed the proposed 65% increase in electricity tariffs, warning against further economic hardship for Nigerians.

The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has strongly opposed the federal government’s plan to increase electricity tariffs by 65%, calling it an additional burden on citizens who are already facing difficulties.

This position was outlined in a communiqué issued after the TUC’s National Administrative Council (NAC) meeting for the first quarter of 2025, which took place on Thursday in Abuja.

After the meeting, TUC President Mr. Festus Osifo spoke to journalists and expressed strong disapproval of the proposal, emphasizing that the congress “strongly” condemned the planned increase.

“It’s concerning that the government is contemplating this increase when the last raise has already caused significant difficulties for citizens,” Osifo stated.

He condemned the timing of the proposal, describing it as a “deliberate act of economic oppression against Nigerians already enduring unbearable financial hardship.”

Osifo additionally noted that the government had not fulfilled its prior promise of enhancing electricity services after previous tariff changes.

He added, “Moreover, the enhanced service quality promised during the last tariff increase—especially for those in ‘Band A’—has not materialized. Most consumers, irrespective of their tariff band, continue to experience constant power outages.”

The TUC president discussed the proposed 50% hike in telecommunications tariffs, expressing full support from the NAC for the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in opposing this initiative. He criticized the absence of thorough economic impact assessments and emphasized that decisions affecting public welfare should include meaningful engagement with all stakeholders.

Regarding the topic of toll gates, Osifo reaffirmed the congress’s stance against the proposed reintroduction of tolls on federal roads.

He stated, “Although tolling is internationally acknowledged as a way to generate revenue for road maintenance, imposing tolls on roads that are unpaved, dilapidated, and filled with potholes is unacceptable.”

Calling the move exploitative, Osifo commented, “Our highways are perilous and neglected, riddled with potholes. Instead of fulfilling its duty to repair and maintain these roads, the government is resorting to extortion.”

The TUC insists that roads designated for tolling should be upgraded to meet international standards before any toll collection begins.

Furthermore, the NAC denounced any efforts to inhibit union activities within the private sector, stressing that forming unions is a fundamental right safeguarded by both national and international labor laws.

Osifo urged the government to promote inclusive dialogue and uphold democratic principles in its policymaking. He emphasized the necessity for reforms that truly represent the interests of Nigerian citizens.