Nigerians are expressing widespread outrage and disappointment over MTN Nigeria’s recent decision to increase its internet data prices. The telecom giant has raised the cost of its 15GB weekly data plan from N2,000 to N6,000, representing a staggering 200% price jump.
This drastic price hike comes on the heels of the Nigerian Communications Commission’s (NCC) approval for telecom operators to increase their tariffs by up to 50%. The NCC justified the move as necessary to help telecom operators sustain service quality amid rising operational costs. However, many Nigerians feel that the timing of the price increase is ill-timed and insensitive, given the current economic climate.
The country is still reeling from the economic fallout of the 2023 fuel subsidy removal, which has led to a significant increase in the cost of living. The removal of the subsidy has resulted in higher prices for fuel, food, and other essential commodities, leaving many Nigerians struggling to make ends meet.
Against this backdrop, the recent data price hike by MTN has sparked intense backlash on social media, with many Nigerians criticizing the move as a further burden on already strained household budgets. Many have expressed concerns that the rising cost of data will make internet access less affordable for many, particularly low-income households and small businesses that rely on internet services to operate.
While MTN and other telecom operators argue that the tariff hike is necessary to maintain infrastructure and improve service delivery, Nigerians are lamenting the impact of the rising cost of living on their daily lives. The data price hike is seen as yet another example of the increasing cost of living in Nigeria, which is eroding the purchasing power of citizens and making life more difficult for many.
As the public outcry continues, it remains to be seen how MTN and other telecom operators will respond to the concerns of their customers. Will they reconsider the price hike or offer alternative data plans that are more affordable for Nigerians? Only time will tell.
