By Lillian Okenwa
One of Nigeria’s telecom giants, Airtel has revised its data prices and implemented tariff adjustments including an increase in its unlimited data plan from N20,000 to N40,000. But was the telcos’ approval from the regulatory authorities not a 50 percent increase? This is a 100 percent increase!
So while Nigerians groan about the 50 percent increase, Airtel went notches higher!
Well, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the Federal Government and the Nigerian Communications Commission over what it described as the “arbitrary, unconstitutional, unlawful, unfair, and unreasonable” 50% increase in telecom tariffs.
But will there really be any respite? Has there ever been a respite over matters that literally cripple and grind the citizens who are already gasping for breath?
Writing for The Pointer in an article titled: Telecom Tariff Hike: Will Nigerians Break Up With MTN?, Rita Oyiboka and Amayindi Yakubu analysed the sorry issues in the piece below.
Relationship experts often preach that communication, long phone calls, sweet text messages, and reassuring “good morning” and “good night” check-ins are the keys to a thriving romance. But what happens when love becomes too expensive to maintain?
Since the advent of mobile phones, network providers have played the role of invisible matchmakers, keeping lovers connected. However, during the Valentine’s Day celebration yesterday, many Nigerians found themselves grappling with the heartbreak of a different kind, MTN’s staggering tariff hike.
Even now, when couples should still be basking in the afterglow of affection, many Nigerians, lovers included, struggle to cope with the astronomical cost of data. With MTN controlling a significant chunk of the country’s network subscribers, the price surge has left users and their wallets gasping for air.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
In December 2024, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) announced a 40 per cent increase in mobile tariffs for operators, effective January 2025.
Likewise, on February 2 2025, the Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Gbenga Adebayo stated that telecom companies would implement their tariffs individually while seeking approvals from the NCC. He argued that the tariff adjustment was crucial for the survival of the telecommunications sector, emphasising that the government should not expect the industry to subsidise other sectors.
The new rates were expected to raise the cost of a phone call from ₦11 to ₦15.40 per minute, while SMS charges would increase from ₦4 to ₦5.60. While network operators defended the move as necessary for sustaining operations, many Nigerians, already struggling with the rising cost of living, saw it as yet another blow from a country that never runs out of ways to frustrate its citizens.
This announcement finally came to pass on Monday when MTN Nigeria raised its rates, with one of the most drastic changes being the 15-gigabyte (GB) weekly data plan, which has soared from ₦2,000 to ₦6,000, a staggering 200 per cent price increase.
This jump has triggered an uproar, particularly on social media, where frustrated Nigerians are voicing their outrage over the ever-growing cost of essential services. But the 15GB plan isn’t the only one affected. MTN has also revised its other data packages. The 75GB plan, previously priced at ₦16,400, now costs ₦20,000. Similarly, the 25GB plan has increased from ₦6,500 to ₦9,000, while the 20GB plan has jumped from ₦5,500 to ₦7,500.
The shockwaves from these hikes have left subscribers scrambling to adjust to the new reality. Despite MTN’s price surge, checks revealed that the data tariffs of Airtel and Glo remain unchanged.
Public Outrage, Calls for Boycott
Already grappling with Nigeria’s economic challenges, subscribers have expressed their frustration, with many advocating for a boycott of MTN’s services.
While speaking to The Pointer, an MTN user, Jonah Ogbaoku, suggested: “Marching straight to MTN’s office for a peaceful protest will send a clear message to them and other service providers. Nigerians tolerate too much nonsense until it is too late to react. The increase is excessive. People are still protesting the electricity tariff hike, and now it’s data.”
Fidelis Amaobi added: “Data alone takes the majority of my money every three days. That 15GB for ₦6000 will be gone within two to three days. That’s the problem. Alternative networks like Airtel and Glo have extremely slow and frustrating services. Airtel is the worst in terms of data management; their data doesn’t even last anymore. The increase is far above 50 per cent. Henceforth, I am no longer an MTN customer. I am removing my name from their list of subscribers.”
Similarly, Lucky Nwachukwu was taken aback by the new pricing: “I was shocked when I saw the increase. Normally, I buy 1GB for a social plan, but when I tried to purchase it last night, I discovered it was now ₦400. We need to take action. I feel this is their strategic way of regulating social media usage.”
Meanwhile, Akinyemi Bunmi argued that MTN is breaching its contract with subscribers: “There is no package that lasts its full duration. MTN is ripping us off. ‘’These two-month packages don’t last 10 days before they are exhausted. It’s time to get a good lawyer and take them to court. The worst part of this hike is that after subscribing to 30GB for a month, in five days, it’s gone.”
Social media has also been flooded with reactions from disgruntled subscribers. Many users on X (formerly Twitter) decried the sharp increase, calling it unfair and unsustainable.
One user, Praise Obah, expressed: “Nigeria is a very difficult place to live in, honestly. MTN waking up one day to increase their weekly 15GB data from ₦2000 to ₦6000 without prior warning is textbook insanity. That’s ₦24000 in a month, almost the minimum wage of the country spent on data. This is hell.”
Another user, Khan, lamented: “There’s no way for the average Nigerian to progress in this country. The ₦2000 for 15GB that we were managing is now ₦6000.”
Others questioned the legitimacy of the hike, noting that the NCC only approved a 50 per cent increase, whereas MTN raised prices by 200 per cent. Adding to the frustration, MTN has also discontinued its “Hot Deals” package (*121#), which previously offered discounted data plans.
In response to the hike, the Central Working Committee of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a directive urging Nigerians to boycott MTN, Airtel, and Glo services from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm daily until the end of February 2025. They have also demanded an immediate reversal of the new tariff, warning that if the price increase is not revoked by February 29, a nationwide telecom shutdown would commence from March 1.
While that is a bold move, it remains to be seen how this will play out in a country where digital connectivity is practically oxygen; powering businesses, academics, and preserving connections.
More Trouble: Banking App Failures
As if the tariff hike wasn’t enough, MTN subscribers across Nigeria found themselves struggling to recharge their lines via bank apps, compounding frustrations over the telecom provider’s actions.
The issue, which began on Wednesday, left customers scrambling for alternative ways to purchase airtime and data, with many expressing outrage over the double setback. Reports indicate that attempts to buy airtime through banking apps repeatedly failed, forcing users to seek out physical recharge cards.
Speaking to The Pointer, businessman Anthony Emegha described his ordeal: “I tried recharging my MTN line through Palmpay, and it said the transaction would take two hours. After waiting, I checked my account only to find that the money had been refunded instead of receiving airtime. This is frustrating, especially with the recent tariff hike.”
For a student at Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku, Jessica Ozo, the situation has been equally frustrating: “I tried recharging with my bank app multiple times, but it did not work, and my transaction remained pending. At first, I thought it was a network issue, but then I saw complaints all over social media. MTN increased data prices and then recharge became a difficulty. It’s frustrating.”
MTN Responds with Questionable Apology
Amid a growing backlash, MTN issued a rather unorthodox apology on Thursday, addressing its 15GB data bundle customers: “To our 15GB digital bundle lovers, you dey vex. We know. We know how upsetting it must have been to suddenly wake up to a 200-per cent increase on your favourite digital bundle.
“We could share several reasons and provide explanations, but omo, all that one na story. We don cast. We get it and admit it. Let’s just say na mistake. In this love season, don’t stay angry with us. Please forgive and forget. You matter die, and we will never stop showing you how much.”
The informal tone of the statement did little to pacify customers, who saw it as a mockery rather than a sincere apology.
Although there have been speculations of a reversal of the hike, it is yet to reflect on customers’ billing, leaving many frustrated and sceptical about MTN’s intentions.
The Bigger Picture: What’s Next?
With MTN remaining ‘silent’ on the rationale behind the steep increase, subscribers feel shortchanged and are demanding answers. Meanwhile, Airtel, Glo, and 9mobile have yet to announce similar hikes, leading to speculation about whether they will follow suit or gain customers disenchanted with MTN.
This price adjustment not only exceeds the 50 per cent hike reportedly approved by the NCC but also contradicts MTN’s initial proposal of a 150 per cent increase, which the commission previously rejected. Subscribers were further shocked as the adjustment took effect earlier than expected, despite ongoing discussions between telecom operators and the NLC.
Lawmakers, including members of the House of Representatives, have taken a strong stance against the increase. During a plenary session, legislators directed the NCC and the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy to suspend the tariff hike, citing its insensitivity amid soaring inflation, higher electricity costs, and contentious tax reforms.
For now, Nigerians wait, angry, exhausted, and still searching for more affordable options in a country where even connection now comes at a premium.
