Amid mounting public outrage over MTN Nigeria’s abrupt data and SMS tariff hikes, the House of Representatives has stepped in, demanding an immediate halt to the planned increase in telecom tariffs. Lawmakers have urged the Federal Government, through the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), to suspend any further tariff adjustments until network providers significantly improve their services.
This intervention follows widespread backlash from subscribers, many of whom have started migrating to alternative networks in protest against what they describe as an unjustified price surge.
The House’s resolution came after the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance moved by Obuku Oforji, the lawmaker representing Yenagoa/Kolokuma/Opokuma Federal Constituency of Bayelsa State.
Oforji, speaking at the plenary session, recalled that during a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja on January 8, 2025, Minister Tijani disclosed that a telecom tariff increase was imminent. The minister explained that network operators had been lobbying for a price hike of up to 100%, though the NCC had not approved such a drastic increase.
Justifying their demand for a price adjustment, telecom firms cited rising operational costs, expansion investments, and the increasing demand for digital services in key sectors such as education, banking, and healthcare.
However, the National Association of Telecoms Subscribers (NATCOMS) has outrightly rejected the proposed hikes, branding them as “insensitive” and an added burden on Nigerians already grappling with economic hardship and poor network services.
“It is imperative that telecommunications companies first improve their service delivery before considering any tariff increases,” Oforji asserted, emphasizing that millions of Nigerians continue to suffer from erratic network coverage and subpar internet speeds.
The lawmaker warned that higher telecom costs would deepen financial struggles, hinder the country’s digital economy aspirations, and widen socio-economic inequalities, with lower-income families bearing the brunt.
Meanwhile, the sudden price hike has sparked a mass exodus of subscribers from MTN, as many seek refuge in rival network providers. MTN recently implemented a shocking price increase of up to 50% on data bundles and SMS rates, triggering nationwide backlash.
According to affected users, the price of a 15GB data plan has jumped from ₦4,500 to ₦6,500, while a 20GB plan now costs ₦7,500, up from ₦5,500. The spike is even more staggering for larger plans:
1.5TB (90-day plan): ₦150,000 → ₦240,000
600GB (90-day plan): ₦75,000 → ₦120,000
SMS rates: ₦4 per message → ₦6 per message
The hike, which exceeds the 50% increase reportedly approved by the Federal Government, has fueled frustration among subscribers. Reports indicate that the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) had previously rejected MTN’s proposal for a 150% price increase, further intensifying the controversy.
Social Media Erupts in Protest
Nigerians have taken to social media to vent their anger, with many calling for a nationwide boycott of MTN.
User @not_ahmedjunior lamented:
“It’s nearly impossible for the average Nigerian to progress. The 15GB data plan that used to cost ₦2,000 is now ₦6,000!”
Another user, @official_GZU, pointed out that the price hike reflects Nigeria’s harsh economic realities:
“Telecom operators are businesses, and in a country battling inflation and currency devaluation, price hikes are inevitable. But that doesn’t mean we should just accept them without questioning.”
Adding to subscribers’ frustration, MTN has also discontinued its “Hot Deals” package (*121#), which previously offered discounted data plans.
Twitter user @Khan called for a boycott, writing:
“It’s time we dump MTN. Their network is unreliable, and their data plans are a rip-off. The 15GB package doesn’t even last three days! They sabotaged their own network during protests to prevent people from mobilizing.”
Similarly, @Silva fumed:
*”MTN increasing their weekly 15GB data from ₦2K to ₦6K without prior notice is insane! That’s *₦24K per month—almost Nigeria’s minimum wage—just for data. This is hell.”
Regulatory Intervention Needed
With Airtel, Globacom, and 9mobile yet to implement similar price hikes, there is growing speculation about whether competitors will follow suit or capitalize on MTN’s backlash to attract dissatisfied customers.
Meanwhile, many Nigerians are demanding urgent regulatory intervention to ensure affordability and transparency in telecom pricing. The House of Representatives has vowed to hold further deliberations on the matter, raising hopes that the Federal Government might compel telecom providers to rethink their pricing strategies.
As the situation unfolds, the big question remains: Will MTN reverse its decision, or will Nigerians be forced to endure yet another financial strain in an already struggling economy?
PIONEER NEWS 