MTN Backpedals, Reverses 200% Data Tariff Hike

LAGOS — MTN Nigeria has announced a reversal of its 200 per cent tariff hike on the 15GB data plan after facing widespread backlash from customers, including an industrial action declared by the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, against telecommunications operators.

The reversal came as Organised Labour called on the Federal Government to sanction the telecommunication operator’s alleged violation of stakeholders’ agreements by announcing a tariff hike, stating that such acts of impunity should not be tolerated

MTN in a statement posted on its official X account, yesterday, acknowledged the frustration caused by the sudden price increase and apologised to its subscribers.

Recall that on February 11, the telecommunication company increased the price of the 15GB data plan from N4,500 to N6,500, while the 20GB plan rose from N5,500 to N7,500.

Larger data plans were affected, with the 1.5TB 90-day package surging from N150,000 to N240,000 and the 600GB 90-day plan rising from N75,000 to N120,000. Additionally, SMS rates increased from N4 to N6 per message.

However, following a surge of complaints from customers, the company reversed the price hike and issued a public apology.

According to the statement, “To our 15GB digital bundle lovers, we know you’re upset. We understand how frustrating it must have been to wake up to a 200 per cent increase on your favorite bundle.

Taking full responsibility for the decision, MTN admitted to the misstep, stating:

“We could give explanations, but omo, all that one na story. We don cast. We get it and admit it. Let’s just say na mistake.”

Appealing to customer loyalty, especially during the Valentine season, MTN further urged subscribers to forgive the company.

“In this love season, don’t stay angry with us. Please forgive and forget. You matter die, and we will never stop showing you how much.”

Mixed Reactions

The reversal has sparked mixed reactions online. While some customers welcomed MTN’s apology, others criticized the company for the initial price increase, which they argued was unjustifiable given Nigeria’s current economic situation.

MTN’s initial hike came amid broader adjustments within the Nigerian telecommunications sector. Industry sources indicate that telecom operators received final approval from the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, to implement a 50 per cent tariff adjustment, citing rising operational costs.

While MTN moved forward with its increase, competitors such as Airtel, Globacom, and 9mobile are yet to implement similar changes as of the time of this report.

Labour Calls For Sanction

Reacting, Organised Labour called on the Federal Government to sanction telecommunication operators who have violated stakeholders’ agreements by implementing a tariff hike.

A labour leader, who responded to reports that MTN has withdrawn its 200 per cent tariff hike, described the action as “an act of impunity and rascality” that should not be allowed to take root in industrial relations.

The labour leader, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: “We are demanding that government sanctions MTN for its impunity and rascality. What the company did was an insult to the government of Nigeria and should not be encouraged. We have observed that, over time, MTN has developed a habit of not adhering to agreements reached with Organised Labour in the telecommunications sector. They do not respect the nation’s labour laws. What they do here in Nigeria, they would not dare it in South Africa. It doesn’t matter if they had withdrawn the tariff or not. The act of impunity should not be tolerated.

“The irresponsible act by MTN, while a joint committee of government and Labour is still working, should be condemned by the appropriate authorities to ensure that such behaviour does not repeat itself. This conduct has caused tension across the country, and the economic and security implications of such tensions are better imagined than experienced.”

NLC had earlier expressed outrage over the hike in tariff by telecommunications companies, despite an earlier agreement reached with the Federal Government and the NCC, and demanded immediate reversal of the increase to avoid unpleasant consequences.

The Federal Government and NLC had about two weeks ago, emerged from a meeting convened by the former to see how the price hike could be reduced from the proposed 50 per cent.

A 10-man committee, comprising five members from each of the two parties, was constituted and given two weeks to further deliberate on the issue before a decision is taken.

The two weeks deadline given the committee ends this week but some of the telecomunications companmies have already effected a hike 50 percent hike in data.

The NLC had argued, “If the telecommunications companies fail to revert to the old tariff by the end of February 2025, a total shutdown of their operations nationwide will commence from March 1, 2025.”

To show its seriousness, the Labour movement declared that as a first step in resisting the arbitrary tariff hike, it directed that from February 13, 2025, workers and other willing citizens should boycott the services of MTN, AIRTEL, and GLO daily between 11a.m., and 2p.m., with effect from February 11 till end of February 2025.

NLC in a communique at the end of a Central Working Committee, CWC, meeting in Lokoja, Kogi State, on Tuesday, had urged workers and citizens to suspend the purchase of data from the telecommunications companies.