In response to the recent 50 percent telecom tariff hike approved by the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC), one of the leading telecommunications companies, MTN has increased the price of its data, calls and other services by at least 200 percent, irking Nigerians.
The company (MTN) on Monday, jerked the price of the weekly data package of 15GB which initially cost N2,000 to a whooping N6,000, leaving many Nigerians in rage.
The telco confirmed this in a post shared on its X (formerly Twitter) official page on Tuesday.
It wrote: “Y’ello! Thanks for stopping by, We apologise for any inconvenience and delayed response. A price increase has been implemented to enhance our services and serve you better, which is why you are seeing the updated amount.”
According to the new pricing structure, the 15GB data bundle, which previously cost N2,000, now costs N6,000. Similarly, the 1.5TB plan has increased from N150,000 to N240,000.
Other affected plans include; the 100GB bundle, which now costs N25,000 for 90GB, up from the previous price of N20,000 for 100GB. The 600GB bundle has also increased from N75,000 to N120,000 for 480GB.
Unsurprisingly, on Tuesday morning, many subscribers in Nigeria took to social media to criticise the increase, calling it exploitative and unfair, especially amid rising economic hardships.
The angry Nigerians called the telco to reconsider the increase.
Read some comments by Nigerians on the issue.
An user, @gbolahan2211 said: “Imagine MTN @MTNNG increasing their tariff 15gb overnight without prior notice to customers. This is no way to do things man. I even sent them a message and they told me cause they wanna serve me better. Damn!!”
An X user, Khan wrote: “I think it’s high time we boycotted MTN. Their network is terrible, and their data plans are a rip-off. the 15GB package doesn’t even last three days. During the protest, they deliberately sabotaged their own network to prevent it from happening.”
Another user @GIFTy6286 wrote: “If they like they should increase it to 1m,we will survive.”
@AfrokonnectNG reacted: “This sudden price increase from ₦2,000 to ₦6,000 for 15GB is wild! How are people supposed to cope with such an outrageous hike? Internet access is essential for work, education, and staying connected, yet it’s being priced like a luxury.
“At this rate, users may be forced to look for alternatives or reduce their data consumption drastically. MTN really needs to reconsider this move because it’s not sustainable for the average Nigerian. What do you think about this development?”
@Gorilla23mp asked: “But this is almost 200% increment, I thought they said it won’t be up to 100%?”
@TheSilvapr lamented; “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.”
While the telecom giant has yet to comment on the situation, observations suggest it may have begun implementing the 50% tariff hike approved by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
NEW DAILY PRIME reported that on January 20, the NCC in a statement by its Director of Public Affairs, Reuben Muoka, said implentation of the 50% tariff hike will begin in February, adding that the adjustment, though lower than the over 100 per cent requested by some network operators, was arrived at taking into account ongoing industry reforms that will positively influence sustainability.
The NCC statement had read, “These adjustments will remain within the tariff bands stipulated in the 2013 NCC Cost Study, and requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis as is the Commission’s standard practice for tariff reviews. It will be implemented in strict adherence to the recently issued NCC Guidance on Tariff Simplification, 2024.
“Tariff rates have remained static since 2013, despite the increasing costs of operation faced by telecom operators. The approved adjustment is aimed at addressing the significant gap between operational costs and current tariffs while ensuring that the delivery of services to consumers is not compromised.”
However, the NLC rejected the tariff hike and demanded a reduction to five per cent, threatening a nationwide protest if its demands were not met.
It condemned the hike as insensitive and unjustifiable, arguing that it would impose an extra burden on Nigerian consumers.
The union’s president, Joe Ajaero, reiterated its demand for a significant reduction after the National Administrative Council meeting of the NLC.
The NLC scheduled a protest for Tuesday but suspended the action after discussions with representatives of the Federal Government.
Following extensive deliberations, both the NLC and the government agreed to set up a 10-member committee—comprising five representatives from each side—to review the issue and submit a report within two weeks.
Meanwhile, the Trade Union Congress, TUC, has threatened to down tools if the Federal Government does not rescind its approval of the 50 per cent tariff increase.
TUC condemned the proposed hike, calling it ill-timed and a deliberate act of economic oppression against Nigerians.
