Feb, 12 2025
MTN Nigeria's decision to implement a 50% tariff hike on both voice calls and data plans has ignited a wave of public discontent across the nation. As of January 24, 2025, this price adjustment, backed by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), raises both eyebrows and the cost of staying connected, influencing daily budgets in significant ways.
The tariff hike, while set at a nominal 50%, has seen some plans soar even higher. Notably, the 15GB weekly data plan has skyrocketed from ₦2,000 to ₦6,000, marking a startling 200% increase. Meanwhile, the everyday 1.8GB monthly plan climbed to ₦1,500 from its previous ₦1,000 rate, representing a 50% rise. Similarly, voice call rates jumped from ₦11 to ₦18 per minute.
Larger data bundles haven’t been spared either, with the staggering 1.5 terabyte plan experiencing a 60% increase from ₦150,000 to ₦240,000. According to the NCC, these hikes are responses to mounting operational costs and forex challenges, aligning with Section 108 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.
The abrupt increase comes amidst Nigeria’s economic turbulence, with inflation rates hitting 34.80% and food inflation touching 40%. Against this backdrop, subscribers have voiced strong opposition, viewing these hikes as opportunistic. Many worry that this adjustment will further strain household budgets, given the already high cost of living.
Ernest Akinlola, a respected figure within the telecom industry, defends MTN's decision, stating it is crucial for sustaining the industry's health. However, he admits that even this increase might fall short of solving the telecom sector's systemic issues, primarily those arising from Nigeria’s volatile inflation and exchange rates.
MTN's financial performance in 2024—reporting a ₦656 billion loss attributed in part to forex instability—adds context to this move. Yet, the public sentiment remains largely unforgiving. Consumers have taken to social media in protest, voicing their frustrations and organizing calls for boycotts. There’s also talk of legal actions as the National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers (NATCOMS) insists on rolling back to a more modest 10% increase.
This sweeping discontent signals the potential for a tough road ahead for MTN Nigeria, as they navigate the backlash amid their financial distress. The coming weeks are likely to see increased pressure on both MTN and governing bodies to address subscribers’ grievances and possibly reconsider the steep tariff escalations.