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In a decision that has incited considerable indignation among users on 'X' (formerly Twitter), MTN Nigeria has enacted a recent increase in tariffs, resulting in considerable hikes in new data plans.
This change comes after the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) sanctioned a 50 percent adjustment in tariffs for telecom operators, citing escalating operational expenses and the necessity for sustainability within the industry.
The alteration, reflected in the updated pricing of MTN’s data plans, does not affect call and SMS rates at this time.
The revised data prices from MTN, effective from February 10, 2025, show significant increases across various popular packages. For example, the 15GB weekly data bundle has jumped from N2,000 to N6,000. Likewise, the 1.5TB plan has increased from N150,000 to N240,000, and the 100GB bundle has been adjusted to 90GB, now available for N25,000, up from N20,000.
Other plans affected include the 600GB bundle, now priced at N120,000 for 480GB, which was previously N75,000. The 20GB plan has seen an increase, now costing N7,500 instead of N5,500. The 1.8GB monthly offer is now set at N1,500, replacing the earlier 1.5GB plan at N1,000.
While certain smaller packages, like the 2.5GB daily plan, remain unchanged at N500, the sharp rises in mid-tier and larger data packages have drawn considerable criticism from consumers.
The NCC had authorized a maximum tariff increase of 50 percent in January 2025, dealing with requests from telecom operators seeking increases exceeding 100 percent. The commission articulated that these adjustments are vital to combat rising operational costs, inflation, and currency devaluation, challenges that have beset the industry for more than a decade.
Spokesperson for the NCC, Reuben Mouka, stated that this decision corresponds with the commission’s regulatory authority under Section 108 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003, highlighting that the 50 percent cap was a compromise intended to balance industry sustainability with consumer affordability.
The tariff increase has incited widespread discontent among Nigerians, a significant number of whom depend on affordable data for education, business, and remote work. Social media has seen an influx of complaints, with users denouncing the hikes as “exploitative” and “unsustainable.”
An X user, @AfrokonnectNG, expressed frustration, stating, “Internet access is essential for work, education, and staying connected, yet it’s being priced like a luxury. MTN really needs to reconsider this move.”
Another user, @limasyre, highlighted the disparity between the NCC’s 50 percent approval and MTN’s 200 percent increase, remarking, “A 50 percent hike should mean N3,000, not N6,000.”
MTN has justified the price adjustments, claiming they are essential for improving service quality and countering rising operational expenses. MTN Nigeria's CEO, Karl Toriola, reassured subscribers that the hike would contribute to enhanced network infrastructure and a better customer experience.
On the other hand, other prominent telecom providers, such as Airtel and Glo, have not yet enacted similar price hikes. Industry analysts speculate that these companies may adopt similar measures in the coming weeks, potentially leading to a larger transformation in Nigeria’s telecom pricing structure.
