MTN Nigeria’s 50% data tariff hike sparks backlash
Competitors like Airtel and Globacom haven’t adjusted their pricing yet, though this could happen in a matter of weeks.
If you live in Nigeria, expect to pay more for Internet as an MTN Nigeria subscriber. This week, the company quietly rolled out its long-awaited 50% tariff adjustment—and as expected, it’s not sitting well with subscribers.
Approved by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in January 2025, the tariff hike was supposed to be a long-overdue adjustment for telcos struggling with rising operational costs, inflation, and currency devaluation. But for consumers, it just feels like yet another punch to the wallet.
A review of MTN Nigeria's updated pricing shows that some plans have seen significant jumps. The 15GB weekly plan, for instance, previously priced at ₦2,000, now costs ₦6,000, representing a staggering 300% increase. The 20GB monthly plan also now costs ₦7,500 instead of ₦5,500, while high-end users saw their 600GB 90-day plan shoot up from ₦75,000 to ₦120,000. However, not all plans were affected—some lower-tier data packages remained unchanged, and a few even saw slight reductions.
Kelechi Edeh
Meanwhile, subscribers, already grappling with economic hardship, have taken to social media to express their frustration. Many argue that despite MTN’s claims of service improvement, network quality has remained inconsistent.
Consumer advocacy groups—like the National Association of Telecom Subscribers (NATCOMS) and the Association of Telephone, Cable TV and Internet Subscribers of Nigeria (ATCIS-Nigeria)—have also weighed in, criticizing the sudden implementation without adequate prior communication to customers. Some have even called for a review, suggesting a gradual adjustment instead of a sharp hike.
Interestingly, competitors like Airtel and Globacom haven’t adjusted their pricing yet, though this could happen in a matter of weeks. SWIFT Networks, however, has already increased its internet prices by 50% across the board, and Spectranet has announced plans to do the same.
For now, Internet subscribers in the country have little choice but to adapt, with many re-evaluating their internet usage and exploring alternatives. As conversations around affordability and digital inclusion heat up, the bigger question is whether telcos can strike a balance between business sustainability and consumer-friendly pricing—especially as the sector grapples with a shrinking subscriber base.
Kelechi Edeh
