Some Nigerians took to Twitter to lament over the actions of MTN Nigeria and Airtel Nigeria, Telecommunications firms. The telcos had promised their subscribers free SMS, as they comply with the sit at home order of the Federal Government.

The telcos took the decision after the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo, appealed to them via his Twitter to offer their subscribers free data or airtime.

Keyamo made the appeal in order to ease the economic impact of COVID-19 on Nigerian workers, but instead, MTN Nigeria and Airtel Nigeria chose to offer their subscribers free SMS.

In a statement shared on Twitter, Airtel Nigeria said, “Airtel announces free SMS to all customers to connect with loved ones. Free SMS can be sent to all your friends and family across any network.” On the other hand, MTN Nigeria said it customers can send free 10 SMS daily for 30 days.

We understand how important it is to keep in touch with loved ones during this period. Now you can with FREE 300 SMS to all networks. #StaySafe #StayConnected pic.twitter.com/85jktTEveh

— MTN Nigeria (@MTNNG) April 1, 2020

Nigerians castigated the Telcos:

But this act of generosity did not go down well with Nigerians who stormed the Twitter accounts of these telcos to let register their displeasure. @Drmuzoic responded to MTN, stating, “We need data to work effectively from home and stay abreast of new updates online. Take your SMS and reduce the price of data.” 

[READ MORE: Nigerians react as DStv donates N1.2 billion, demand free subscription amidst Coronavirus lockdown)

We need data to work effectively from home and stay abreast of new updates online

Take your SMS and reduce the price of data

— Blessed Beyond Measure (BBM) (@Drmuzoic) April 1, 2020

Another twitter user, @onyipomping said, “We don’t need free SMS. Give us free data. Stingy network” While supporting Onyipomping, @Ajayidoying stated, “We hardly send SMS, we want data. SMS to do what?” 

We dont need free SMS. Give us free data. Stingy network🙄🙄

— onyie (@onyipumping) April 1, 2020

Meanwhile, @KelvinAganbi tweeted, “In other news, you are giving all your customers #1,200. Please convert mine to data. Thank you.” @official_dlaw seconded Aganbi’s tweet, “That’s 2gig data na based on their current price. How hard could it be,” he asked MTN Nigeria

That's 2gig data na based on their current price. How hard could it be

— Lawal🦅 (@official_dlaw) April 2, 2020

Also, @Amally_A told MTN Nigeria, “Data would have been better or even appreciated, SMS is outdated, reduce the price of subscription even if you can’t make it free, be considerate during this trying time.” 

Data would have been better or even appreciated, SMS is outdated, reduce the price of subscription even if you can't make it free, be considerate during this trying time

— Hafsah🥀 (@Amally_A) April 1, 2020

@screengoddez tweeted, “This Life we need data more than sms. MTN Nigeria is just playing with Nigerians. Why won’t they gift their customers data and phone call airtime? When they know Nigerians rarely send SMS these days because there are various messaging and social media apps for texts.” 

…This Life we need data more than sms. MTN Nigeria is just playing with Nigerians.
Why won't they gift their customers data and phone call airtime?
When they know Nigerians rarely send SMS these days because there are various messaging and social media apps for texts.

— Giovanna (Screengoddez™) (@screengoddez) April 1, 2020

Subscribers of Airtel Nigeria also lamented, with @obagomez1 stating, “Nice gesture, but in all honesty; 65% of your consumer base are more “internet/data” driven. I’d be glad to see a rolled out data price slash and higher lasting data volume even for 14days.” 

Nice gesture, but in all honesty; 65% of your consumer base are more “internet/data” driven. I’d be glad to see a rolled out data price slash and higher lasting data volume even for 14days.

— Sanford Gomez (@obagomez1) April 1, 2020

The free offer also didn’t go down well with @duckieworld1 who tweeted, “When someone can send message on WhatsApp and other social media. You came up with SMS. You would have just said MMS make we know say na Stone Age we de. Well it is a matter of t.” 

When someone can send message on WhatsApp and other social medium. You came up with SMS. You would have just said MMS make we know say na Stone Age we de. Well it is a matter of t

— Jude Ileleji (@duckieworld1) March 31, 2020

@illest_rukboi had no kind words for the red network, stating, “Thunder will keee u people and your SMS. Shebi una thin say na multilinks era na im  we dey abi. Animals” 

Thunder will keee u people and your SMS. Shebi una thin say na multilinks era na im we dey abi. Animals

— B.V.O (Bache's Very Own) (@illest_rukboi) March 31, 2020

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@Zadokzibar said, “Simply slash the price of data.. That’s all…… What is SMS.” 

Simply slash the price of data.. That's all…… What is sms

— Onyeocha 🇳🇬👑👑 (@zadokzibar) March 31, 2020

Why Nigerians are not satisfied: Most people hardly use SMS now. The internet has enabled platforms like WhatsApp send long messages that SMS can’t convey. Also, most people now work-from-home following the lockdown by the Federal Government.

And with data price still on the high-side, it’s expected that the preference will be data and not SMS because the later is limited in function, but data enables internet users do more things on the web.