Nigerians are voicing frustration and anger after significant price hikes on mobile data by some of the country’s largest telecommunications providers. MTN, Nigeria’s biggest network operator, has tripled the cost of one of its popular weekly data plans, while Airtel has also implemented steep tariff increases.
Exceeding Expectations
Though the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) recently approved a maximum 50% increase in data prices to help telecom companies offset rising operational costs, the adjustments by MTN and Airtel appear to have exceeded this cap.
The abrupt price hike caught many subscribers off guard, with no formal announcements from MTN or Airtel. Customers only realized the changes when attempting to purchase data bundles.
- MTN’s 15GB weekly bundle, previously priced at ₦2,000 ($1.33), now costs ₦6,000 ($3.99), sparking backlash on social media.
- Similarly, the price of MTN’s 1GB data bundle has more than doubled, while Airtel’s comparable offers have also seen a threefold increase.
Globacom, the third-largest telecom operator in Nigeria, has not increased its prices, making it a notable exception.
Worsening an Already Strained Economy
The price hikes come at a time when Nigerians are grappling with the worst economic crisis in decades. Rising inflation, triggered initially by global factors like the war in Ukraine, has been further exacerbated by domestic policies, including the removal of the fuel subsidy and a currency devaluation under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Many Nigerians have taken their businesses online to cope with rising costs of physical storefronts. The data price surge poses a significant threat to these small businesses, as affordable internet access is crucial for their operations.
Public Backlash and Calls for Accountability
Criticism has been widespread on social media platforms, with users describing the hikes as exploitative during a period of economic hardship:
- “What sort of outrageous increase is that?… Just making sure the masses suffer more,” lamented one commenter on X.
- “Triple the amount? The end time is near,” said another.
Mubarak Uniquepikin, a digital content creator, highlighted the broader impact:
“The economy is already comatose and for this to come in now when a lot of people can’t rent shops and have taken their business online is bad. Many young people already find it difficult to buy data, and this would definitely make it worse for them.”
Regulatory Silence
The NCC has yet to respond to complaints about these price hikes, some of which appear to violate the 50% cap it recommended. MTN and Airtel have not provided detailed explanations for the increases, leaving subscribers frustrated and demanding transparency.
In the current economic climate, many Nigerians view these price hikes as yet another burden, adding to the challenges of navigating daily life amidst soaring costs.
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