MTN Nigeria has begun to raise its data prices considerably.
This information was also verified in a statement posted on the company’s X (formerly Twitter) account.
The company wrote: “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 development follows the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) granting approval for telecommunications companies to raise their tariffs, citing current market conditions as the reason.
Reuben Mouka, the spokesperson for the commission, revealed this decision in a statement made in January. He clarified that the approval is in accordance with the NCC’s regulatory authority as outlined in Section 108 of the Nigerian Communications Act of 2003.
Mouka noted that the new regulations permit a maximum increase of 50 percent on existing tariffs, which is a reduction from the more than 100 percent increase that some network operators had initially sought.
“The adjustment, capped at a maximum of 50 per cent of current tariffs, though lower than the over 100 per cent requested by some network operators, was arrived at taking into account ongoing industry reforms that will positively influence sustainability,” Mouka stated.
Following this approval, MTN has raised the prices of its data bundles by approximately 200%.
Under the revised pricing, the 15GB data bundle, which was previously priced at N2,000, is now available for N6,000. Additionally, the 1.5TB plan has seen an increase from N150,000 to N240,000.
Other plans that have been affected include the 100GB bundle, which now costs N25,000 for 90GB, up from the earlier price of N20,000 for 100GB. The 600GB bundle has also risen from N75,000 to N120,000 for 480GB.
This price increase has raised concerns among customers, who are already facing economic difficulties in the country. Many have taken to social media to voice their frustration with the new rates, urging the company to reconsider its decision.
An X 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 wrote: “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.”
