Brace yourselves, Nigerians—your internet habits just got a whole lot more expensive. MTN Nigeria has officially jacked up its data prices by 50%, thanks to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) giving the green light to telecom operators to implement the hike.
The revised pricing? That modest 1.8GB monthly plan will now cost you N1,500, replacing the old 1.5GB for N1,000. Need a bit more bandwidth? The 20GB plan has ballooned to N7,500 (up from N5,500), and if you’re still clinging to the 15GB plan, say hello to N6,500, instead of N4,500.
And it’s not just data—text messages have jumped from N4.00 to N6.00 across all networks, meaning even sending “Hi” to your crush now requires deeper pockets.
Industry insiders revealed that telecom operators got final approval for the new rates on Monday, and all major players—MTN, Airtel, Globacom, and 9mobile—are adjusting their pricing structures accordingly.
Speaking two weeks ago, Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), confirmed that operators had already submitted their new tariff plans to the NCC and were merely awaiting the go-ahead. Well, they got it.
The NCC, in a statement by Director of Public Affairs Reuben Muoka, explained that the 50% price adjustment is a necessary evil, citing escalating operational costs and the critical need to keep the telecom industry afloat. If you were hoping for a rollback, think again.
However, The National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers (NATCOMS) isn’t taking this quietly. They’re threatening legal action against the approved price surge, arguing that consumers shouldn’t be made to bear the brunt of industry challenges.
Article updated 2 months ago. Content is written and modified by multiple authors.
