Telecom Companies in Nigeria Raise Call and Data Prices: What You Need to Know

Nigerians were hit with a surprising development on Tuesday as major telecom companies, including MTN and Airtel, announced significant increases in call and data prices. The hikes, which range from 50% to over 150%, have left many users frustrated and concerned about the rising cost of communication.

Key Changes in Pricing:

- MTN’s 15GB Weekly Plan: Previously priced at ₦2,000, the plan now costs ₦6,000—a 200% increase.

- Call Rates: MTN has also raised call rates from 13 kobo per second to 75 kobo per second.

- Airtel Users: Social media is flooded with complaints from Airtel users, who claim the company has more than doubled its data prices without prior notice.

While MTN has apologized for the lack of advance notice, citing the need to "improve service quality," many Nigerians feel the increases are unjustified, especially given the current economic challenges. The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) had approved price adjustments, but the extent of the hikes has caught many off guard.

Why the Price Hikes?

The telecom companies attribute the increases to rising operational costs, inflation, and the need to upgrade infrastructure. However, for many Nigerians, these explanations offer little comfort. The country is already grappling with high inflation, unemployment, and the removal of fuel subsidies, making the additional burden of increased call and data costs even harder to bear.

Impact on Nigerians:

The price hikes are expected to have a ripple effect, particularly on small business owners and young people who rely heavily on affordable data for their livelihoods. Online content creators, entrepreneurs, and students are among the hardest hit, as many depend on data for work, education, and communication.

Mubarak Uniquepikin, a digital content creator, shared his concerns with the BBC:

"The economy is already struggling, and this price hike comes at a time when many people are running their businesses online because they can't afford physical shops. This will make things worse. Many young people can't afford data, and now this increase will make it even harder for them."

Public Reaction:

Nigerians have taken to social media to express their frustration. On X (formerly Twitter), users are calling out the telecom companies for what they see as exploitation.

- Silva, an X user, wrote:

"Nigeria is already a tough place to live. MTN increased the price of their 15GB weekly plan from ₦2,000 to ₦6,000 without warning. Now, it’s ₦24,000—almost the minimum wage in the country. This is pure exploitation."

- Adewale, another X user, posted:

"Nigerians have become lab rats. They test everything on us, and we just accept it. Why did data prices jump from ₦2,000 to ₦6,000? Why?"

- Morris, also on X, questioned:

"How are young people supposed to survive in Nigeria? Another price hike from MTN? Are we just supposed to complain and keep going?"

What’s Next?

While MTN and Airtel have implemented these changes, Glo users have yet to report significant price hikes. However, there are concerns that Glo may follow suit in the near future.

For now, Nigerians are left with no choice but to adapt to the new reality. Many are calling for government intervention to regulate prices and ensure that telecom services remain affordable for the average citizen.

As the debate continues, one thing is clear: the rising cost of communication is adding yet another layer of difficulty to the lives of Nigerians already struggling with economic hardships.

Related Posts: