Nigerians are expressing strong discontent as two of the country’s leading telecom operators, MTN and Airtel, sharply increase mobile data prices. MTN, which is Nigeria’s largest network, has tripled the cost of its popular 15GB weekly bundle—from 2,000 naira (approximately $1.33) to 6,000 naira (around $3.99)—while Airtel has also significantly hiked its tariffs.
The surge comes at a time when many Nigerians are already grappling with rising living costs, and the price increases have ignited a firestorm of frustration on social media. One user described the new rates as “outrageous,” while another lamented, “Triple the amount? The end time is near.” These sentiments reflect the public’s mounting concern over an already strained economy.
Regulatory oversight appears to be lacking in this instance. Although the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) recently approved a tariff adjustment with a 50% cap, reports indicate that the increases implemented by MTN and Airtel have exceeded this limit. Neither the NCC nor Airtel has offered an official response regarding the breach of the cap.
In a message on X (formerly Twitter), MTN stated: “We apologize for any inconvenience caused,” underscoring that the company claims the price adjustment is necessary for enhanced service delivery. However, the steep hikes are expected to have a ripple effect, particularly impacting small businesses and young entrepreneurs who depend heavily on affordable internet access.
This development comes against the backdrop of Nigeria’s worsening economic conditions—marked by high inflation, removal of fuel subsidies, and recent currency devaluations under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. Amid these challenges, Globacom, the country’s third-largest network, has chosen not to raise its data prices, offering some relief to its customers.
