MTN Nigeria has apologized to its customers following widespread backlash over a sudden 200% increase in the price of its 15GB digital bundle.
The telecommunications giant admitted the change was unexpected and acknowledged customer dissatisfaction.
The company further stated that it understood how frustrating it must have been for subscribers to wake up to such a significant price adjustment.
“You dey vex. We know
“We know how upsetting it must have been to suddenly wake up to a 200% increase on your favourite digital bundle,” they said
While the company hinted at reasons behind the increase, it refrained from detailed explanations, suggesting that customers might not be interested in justification.
“We could share several reasons, and provide explanations, but omo, all that one na story.”
“We don cast. We get it and admit it. Let’s just say na mistake.”
“In this love season, don’t stay angry with us. Please forgive and forget. You matter die and we will never stop showing you how much.
“Let’s continue our relationship. Thank you for your understanding,” the statement read
Users lament the sharp increase in data costs
A Twitter user, @DreadHound0, highlighted the drastic price change, stating:
“In December 2024, I bought MTN’s 3-month plan of 400GB for N50,000. Today, MTN has completely removed the 400GB option and is offering a miserly 480GB option for N120,000 as a replacement. That’s an increase of more than 100%, way above the 50% price hike cap recently approved by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). This government won’t stop until every Nigerian is either dead or severely impoverished.”
In December 2024, I bought MTN's 3-month plan of 400GB for N50,000.
Today, MTN has completely removed the 400GB option and is offering a miserly 480GB option for N120,000 as a replacement.
That's an increase of more than 100%, way above the 50% price hike cap recently approved…
— 𝔾𝕣𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕄𝕒𝕤𝕥𝕖𝕣 ℤ𝕖𝕣𝕠 (@DreadHound0) February 13, 2025
Another user, @TheSilvapr, decried the affordability of data, saying:
“Nigeria is a very difficult place to live in honestly. MTN waking up one day to increase their weekly 15GB data from 2k to 6k without prior warning is textbook insanity. That’s 24k in a month, almost the minimum wage of the country on data, bruh, this is hell.”
Nigeria is a very difficult place to live in honestly. MTN waking up one day to increase their weekly 15gb data from 2k to 6k without prior warning is textbook insanity.
That's 24k in a month, almost the minimum wage of the country on data, bruh, this is hell.
— $ilva 💸 (@TheSilvapr) February 11, 2025
Similarly, Chinenye Goodness, with the handle @nennyberry1, criticized the telecom giant’s pricing strategy:
“Hello #mtn how do you increase your tariff and reduce the value by a huge margin, this is not cool and it’s screaming wickedness.”
Hello #mtn how do you increase your tariff and reduce the value by a huge margin, this is not cool and it’s screaming wickedness
— Chinenye Goodness (@nennyberry1) February 13, 2025
Network issues compound users’ frustration
Beyond the price hikes, some customers have raised concerns about the quality of MTN’s network services.
A user, @A_Abby_Abi, lamented the poor service delivery, stating:
“MTN wants to increase tariffs but the same MTN cannot impress people with its network. The whole of yesterday was a mess in Jos. People working remotely, taking interviews online, etc., would have suffered if they relied on MTN. Who pays for these damages?”
MTN wants to increase tariff but the same MTN cannot impress people with network.
The whole of yesterday was a mess in Jos
People working remotely, taking interviews online, etc would have suffered if they relied on MTNWho pays for these damages?
— Abby Abi (Ms. Sweet Soul the Writer) (@A_Abby_Abi) February 13, 2025
Another user, @mainahmh, criticized the company’s lack of accountability regarding network disruptions
“It’s absurd that MTN will have an unstable network for more than 24 hours in the whole of a town and there’s no official statement, apology or its like. They really don’t rate us. @MTNNG” she said.
It’s absurd that MTN will have unstable network for more than 24 hours in the whole of a town and there’s no official statement, apology or its like. They really don’t rate us. @MTNNG
— Haruna Maina (@mainahmh) February 13, 2025
What you should know
Nairametrics reported that MTN Nigeria has adjusted its data subscription prices following the Nigerian Communications Commission’s (NCC) approval of a 50% tariff increase.
- The revised pricing includes the 1.8GB monthly plan now priced at N1,500, up from the previous 1.5GB plan at N1,000.
- Additionally, the 20GB plan has been adjusted to N7,500 from N5,500, and the 15GB plan now costs N6,500, a rise from N4,500. Text message charges have also increased to N6.00 from the previous N4.00.
- While MTN has implemented these changes, other mobile operators such as Airtel, Globacom, and 9mobile had not updated their data prices at the time of reporting, though they have adjusted SMS charges in line with the approved increase.
- The NCC had approved the 50% tariff adjustment citing rising operational costs and the need to sustain the industry.
However, the National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers (NATCOMS) has threatened to challenge the approved tariff hike in court, arguing that the decision was made before a resolution was reached on the final telecom tariff agreement between the federal government and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
