Ever so often, Nigerian companies try as much as possible to creatively use social media to their advantage. These companies tweet funny stuff that should normally impress/excite customers. However, sometimes it backfires. Case in view is Airtel Nigeria’s recent tweet which said “…And just like that, the weekend ‘vamoosed’. Please, where did it go?”
With this tweet, Airtel implied that the weekend came and went faster than expected. It was intended to be a funny post, but many customers did not find it funny at all. Instead, they vented their frustration, complaining about Airtel’s data subscriptions which supposedly finish faster than they are supposed to.
[READ: Customers are not here for Glo’s inspirational Twitter message]
Airtel’s customers are not smiling
According to the customers, Airtel’s data and the weekend are always “rushing to the same place”. It is, therefore, surprising that the telco even wondered where the weekend went to, seeing as it ought to have known.
The same place you data goes to. 😕
— Bruce Lee Vibes (@ElibeOkezie) September 22, 2019
Exactly where airtel data goes.
— I am МrMahumme (@halexmahum) September 22, 2019
Airtel’s data: fast but finishing fast
According to information obtained from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Airtel Nigeria currently has the second largest number of active subscribers for data (internet). The company’s data subscribers (which stood at 32,403,272 as of July 2019), is second only to that of MTN Nigeria Plc. According to the NCC, Airtel has maintained this position for many months dating back to last year.
While many Nigerians subscribe to Airtel’s data service because it is relatively fast, they also complain because it finishes faster than it is supposed to. That is why customers were sarcastic with their responses on Airtel’s tweet about the weekend.
Same way u wipe out Data even before it expires 🙄🙄
— joyce👩🏽💻 (@joycedsgn) September 22, 2019
A quick overview of the competitive telecoms industry
In Nigeria today, the top three telecoms companies in terms of market share are MTN Nigeria, Airtel, and Glo. While MTN Nigeria has managed to maintain its leading position for many years, Glo recently lost its second position to Airtel.
In terms of data service, MTN Nigeria and Airtel are relatively more expensive. They also finish faster than Glo’s. Ironically, customers prefer MTN and Airtel data unlike Glo data. This is because even though Glo data is cheaper and last longer, it is also unpleasantly slow.
In all, there is a need for Nigerian telecoms services providers need to continually improve on their services for the benefit of customers. In the case of Airtel, one customer identified as Essien Alex has a clear message as you can see below.
Airtel you guys should get yourselves together. I can't reach customer care neither can my 4g browse always going into edge. This is not what I signed up for.
— Essien Alex (@essienkeyz) September 23, 2019
[READ: MTN Nigeria launches MoMo as part of a bigger financial services ambition]
Emmanuel, it’s amazing how you were able to make a story out of this. Like, how do you do it? Amazing!
Thanks a lot.
your write ups are rather unprofessional and carry an lay man’s signature. If Nairametrics wants to be taken seriously they should hire content writers with good good writing skills. This is not even half-baked. It’s unbaked!
Take it easy on yourself.