MTN Nigeria has raised its data subscription prices following the Nigerian Communications Commission’s (NCC) approval of a 50% tariff hike. The move marks a significant shift for consumers who have enjoyed largely static telecom prices for over a decade.
Revised MTN data plans now show a 1.8GB monthly subscription priced at ₦1,500, replacing the previous 1.5GB plan which cost ₦1,000. Similarly, the 20GB plan has risen to ₦7,500, up from ₦5,500, while the 15GB plan now costs ₦6,500, compared to the former ₦4,500.
In addition, SMS rates have been adjusted industry-wide to ₦6.00 per text, up from ₦4.00, reflecting the NCC’s approval. While MTN has already rolled out the new pricing, other operators, including Airtel, Globacom, and 9mobile, are expected to implement similar adjustments soon.
Industry Justifies Tariff Adjustment
Telecom operators cite surging operational costs as the driver of the price increase. According to the Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, the new rates were necessary to maintain industry viability. “We submitted the tariff review proposal months ago to the NCC, and the approval process just concluded,” he said at a recent forum.
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The NCC, in a statement signed by Director of Public Affairs Reuben Muoka, emphasized that the adjustment aligns with its mandate to ensure sustainable telecom operations under Section 108 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.
Subscriber Backlash Looms
The National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers (NATCOMS) has criticized the price hike, calling it “unilateral and inconsiderate.” The group’s president, Deolu Ogunbanjo, announced plans to challenge the decision in court, claiming inadequate consultation with key stakeholders, including subscribers.
Presidency Defends the Move
Meanwhile, the Presidency has defended the NCC’s approval, labeling it a necessary step to address the decade-long freeze on telecom pricing despite inflationary pressures. In a statement, the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Media Centre clarified that the approved increase is not mandatory but allows operators to adjust prices based on their operational realities.
“This approval is designed to ensure the sustainability of the telecom industry while giving operators the flexibility to maintain current rates if sustainable,” the statement read.
The telecom industry, which has faced rising diesel costs, foreign exchange challenges, and inflation, says the adjustment is critical to remain operational. However, consumer advocacy groups insist on further dialogue to balance subscriber affordability and industry sustainability.
