MTN Nigeria faces public outrage over 200% data price hike

There is growing outrage among MTN Nigeria users following the telecom giant’s decision to increase data prices by a staggering 200%. The abrupt hike has sparked widespread frustration, with many customers lamenting its impact on their internet access and budgets.

MTN Nigeria confirmed the development on its official X (formerly Twitter) account, stating: “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.”

This comes after the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) approved a tariff increase for telecommunications companies, citing market conditions. NCC spokesperson Reuben Mouka announced in January that the decision aligns with Section 108 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003. While the commission approved a maximum increase of 50% on current tariffs—down from the over 100% initially requested by network operators—MTN has reportedly raised its data prices by nearly 200%.

Under the new pricing structure, the 15GB data bundle, which previously cost N2,000, now costs N6,000, while the 1.5TB plan has surged from N150,000 to N240,000. Other affected plans include the 100GB bundle, which now costs N25,000 for 90GB (previously N20,000 for 100GB), and the 600GB plan, which has jumped from N75,000 to N120,000 for 480GB.

The sudden increase has triggered a wave of backlash, with subscribers already struggling with Nigeria’s economic challenges expressing their dissatisfaction online. Many have called on MTN to reconsider its decision, with users on X (formerly Twitter) venting their frustrations.

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 on data, bruh, this is hell.”

Some users linked the price hike to government policies, arguing that President Bola Tinubu’s stance against price control has left businesses free to impose such increases. @neefenawti wrote: “I won’t even blame MTN. In a country where the president said he does not believe in price control, what do you expect will happen? The government is out there to watch people plunge further into poverty.”

With many Nigerians relying on affordable data for remote work, content creation, and everyday communication, concerns remain high over the long-term impact of MTN’s price adjustments.