MTN Nigeria has officially increased its data prices by a staggering 200%, a move confirmed by the company in a statement shared on its X (formerly Twitter) page.
The telecom giant responded to customer inquiries, 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."
The price adjustment follows approval from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), which recently authorized tariff increases for telecom operators due to prevailing market conditions.
Reuben Mouka, the NCC’s spokesperson, explained that the regulator, under Section 108 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003, approved a price hike capped at a maximum of 50%—a compromise from the over 100% increase initially requested by some network providers.
"The adjustment, capped at a maximum of 50% of current tariffs, though lower than the over 100% requested by some network operators, was arrived at taking into account ongoing industry reforms that will positively influence sustainability," Mouka stated.
Despite the NCC’s cap, subscribers are reporting data price increases far beyond 50%. According to a revised pricing structure observed by SaharaReporters, the cost of some MTN data bundles has surged by as much as 200%.
- 15GB bundle: Previously ₦2,000, now ₦6,000
- 1.5TB plan: Increased from ₦150,000 to ₦240,000
- 100GB plan: Now ₦25,000 for 90GB, up from ₦20,000 for 100GB
- 600GB bundle: Raised from ₦75,000 to ₦120,000 for 480GB
The drastic price hike has triggered widespread criticism, with many Nigerians taking to social media to express frustration over the rising cost of internet access.
With rising economic hardship and an increasing reliance on mobile internet for work and daily activities, the abrupt increase in data costs has left many Nigerians struggling to keep up. While MTN claims the changes are aimed at improving service quality, customers are demanding more transparency and fairness in pricing.
