- MTN Nigeria raised its 15GB data plan from N2,000 to N6,000, a staggering 200% increase
- The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) approved a 50% price hike, but MTN’s 200% rise has caused outrage among Nigerian customers
- TheRadar compiled some of the public reactions as many Nigerians questioned both the telecom provider and government regulations
Nigerians have voiced their shock and outrage following a dramatic price hike by MTN Nigeria, one of the country's leading telecommunications providers.
Under the new pricing structure, the cost of a 15GB weekly data plan has surged to N6,000, a significant increase from the previous N2,000. This price hike represented a staggering 200% jump, leaving many customers concerned about the affordability of their internet access.
One user on X (formerly Twitter) expressed disbelief, stating, "But the increment allowed is 50% increment and that will take effect in March, why the sudden 200% increment? This is not only unacceptable but ridiculous and the government should Wade in.”
The recent price adjustment followed the Nigerian Communications Commission’s (NCC) approval for telecom operators to increase their tariffs by up to 50%. The NCC defended the move, citing the need to address rising operational costs and ensure service quality.
However, some Nigerians are questioning the scale of the hike, “I thought the @NgComCommission and the Ministry of Information had an agreement of percent increase but this is 200 percent increase,” another X user reacted.
The announcement has triggered widespread public outrage on social media, with many Nigerians criticising the decision. TheRadar compiled some of the public reactions below:
Nigerians reacts to MTN 200% data price hike
“This is crazy cos how can you increase something by 200%. Omoooo we are done in the country,” Mister Mykhel reacted.
“How I go collect 10k, sub 6k, if MTN no be devil wetin Dem come be? tell me,” Tesla reacted.
”Fr! If I manage it, it will last 58 hours. If I don’t manage it and go through my normal routine it won’t last 40 hours.😔They just keep increasing everything,” Unknown 9jaboy stated.
“To get data to browse has just gotten expensive. This country is a joke,” Oscar reacted.
“@MTNNG u people are wicked,✋” Sandy stated.
“Lol, I feel you! Data don dey cost pass some phones. But na the reality we dey face—either find a way to manage am or wait and see if MTN go pity us (spoiler: they may not),” Gen-Z University stated.
“From 2k to 6k isn't profit but exploitation and pure wickedness. Just shut it already,” Lion reacted.
“Sad,” AKA stated.
“Nigeria is a very difficult place to live in honestly. MTN waking up one day to increase their weekly 15gb data from 2k to 6k without prior warning is textbook insanity. That's 24k in a month, almost the minimum wage of the country on data, bruh, this is hell,” $ilva expressed.
“If tariff doesn’t increase, we will shut down,” MTN CEO Toriola warns
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria, Karl Toriola, warned that the company might shut down operations if the telecom tariff prices do not increase.
Toriola also warned that the Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) banking services may be suspended due to debts owed by Nigerian banks.