MTN Data: Reps Demands FG To Halt Impending Hike In Telecom Tariffs

The House of Representatives has asked the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, and the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, to suspend the impending hike in telecommunications tariffs until their service improves.

This came as subscribers have started switching to alternative network providers, following a sharp increase in MTN Nigeria’s data and SMS tariffs.

The position of the House followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance moved by the member representing Yenagoa/Kolokuma/Opokuma federal constituency of Bayelsa State, Obuku Oforji at plenary yesterday.

Moving the motion, Oforji noted that speaking after a stakeholders’ meeting with mobile network operators in Abuja on January 8, 2025, the minister disclosed that telecommunications tariffs would soon increase.

He quoted the minister to have said consultations were ongoing, as there had been agitations from some of those companies to increase tariffs to as high as 100 per cent, adding that it would not be a 100 per cent increase and that the NCC would approve the new tariffs and announce them in due course.

The lawmaker said the argument of the telecommunications companies for a hike in tariffs includes the cost of investment, better networks, increasing demand for digital services across sectors, such as education, banking and healthcare, among others.

Oforji said: “The National Association of Telecoms Subscribers has rejected the proposed increase in tariffs, describing it as insensitive and a further burden on consumers already grappling with economic hardship, and poor network service delivery.

“It is imperative that the telecommunications companies improve on their service delivery (poor network), which Nigerians have been yearning for in years, before embarking on the increase in their tariffs.”

He also expressed concern that the far-reaching effects of these price hikes would deepen financial struggles for the average Nigerian, threaten the country’s vision of leveraging technology to drive economic revival, exacerbate poverty and widen existing inequalities, hitting lower income families the hardest.
Subscribers boycott MTN over sudden data, SMS price hike

Meanwhile, subscribers have started switching to alternative network providers, following a sharp increase in MTN Nigeria’s data and SMS tariffs.

The telecommunications giant recently implemented a price adjustment of up to 50 per cent on its data bundles and SMS rates, sparking widespread backlash.

Reports from affected users indicate that the 15GB data plan has increased from N4,500 to N6,500, while the 20GB plan now costs N7,500, up from N5,500.

The hike is even steeper for larger plans, 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. SMS rates have also increased from N4 to N6 per message.

The development has sparked frustration, with many Nigerians taking to social media to express their dissatisfaction.

Social media user @not_ahmedjunior lamented: “It’s nearly impossible for the average Nigerian to progress. The 15GB data plan that used to cost N2,000 is now N6,000.”

Similarly, another user, @official_GZU, pointed out that the price hike reflects the country’s economic realities rather than a random decision.

“Complaining won’t change anything because telecom operators operate within a profit-driven system. Prices are influenced by inflation, currency devaluation, and market forces,” he said.

Adding to the frustration, media platform OloriSuperGal reported that MTN has also discontinued its “Hot Deals” package (*121#), which previously offered discounted data plans.

This increase exceeds the 50 percent hike reportedly approved by the Federal Government and contradicts MTN’s initial proposal of a 150 per cent increase, which was rejected by the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC.

Subscribers were further shocked as the price adjustment took effect earlier than expected, despite ongoing discussions with the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC.

The sudden price increase has triggered a wave of backlash, with subscribers already struggling with Nigeria’s economic challenges, expressing their frustration online. Many have called on MTN to reconsider its decision, while some are advocating a boycott.

One 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, Silva, tweeted: “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 spent on data. This is hell.”

Similarly, @neefenawti criticized the government’s regulatory stance, saying “I won’t even blame MTN. In a country where the president said he does not believe in price control, what do you expect? The government is watching people plunge further into poverty.”

While MTN has yet to issue an official statement explaining the price increase, the decision has left many subscribers feeling shortchanged.

With Airtel, Globacom, and 9mobile yet to announce similar hikes, there is growing speculation about whether MTN’s move will influence competitors or lead to a shift in customer loyalty.

As the situation unfolds, Nigerians are calling for urgent regulatory intervention to ensure affordability and transparency in telecom pricing.