MTN Nigeria has confirmed a controversial 200% increase in the price of its 15GB weekly data plan, despite initially denying the hike. The increase, which exceeded the 50% adjustment approved by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), led to widespread criticism from subscribers, prompting the telecom giant to issue an apology.
The backlash intensified after customers noticed that the price of the 15GB plan had quietly jumped from ₦2,000 to ₦6,000 on Monday. Many took to social media to express their frustration, accusing the company of making drastic changes without prior notice.
Responding to the outrage, MTN released a statement across its social media channels, admitting the error and appealing for customers’ understanding. “We know how upsetting it must have been to wake up to a 200% increase on your favourite digital bundle. We get it and admit it. Let’s just say na mistake,” the company wrote.
Earlier, a representative from MTN had stated that there had been no actual price increase, claiming instead that the plan had merely reverted to its original price after the expiration of a promotional discount. However, this explanation failed to convince many subscribers, especially as the NCC had only approved a 50% price adjustment, not the 200% spike that MTN implemented.
Following the apology, MTN appears to have revised the plan once again, with reports indicating that the bundle now offers 7GB for ₦3,000. However, the company has not provided clear details on whether the original plan will be reinstated or permanently scrapped.
MTN’s price adjustment is part of a broader push by Nigerian telecom operators to increase tariffs in response to rising operational costs and the devaluation of the naira, which have resulted in significant financial strain on the industry.
However, the move has been met with strong opposition from lawmakers, who have criticized telecom operators for imposing additional financial burdens on consumers without improving service quality. The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has also condemned the price hike, urging Nigerians to boycott mobile telecom services in protest. The union has accused telecom companies of disregarding their agreement with the federal government, which had previously blocked attempts to raise tariffs.
Meanwhile, the National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers (NATCOMS) has taken a different approach, opting out of the NLC’s planned protest. Instead, the association is advocating for a legal resolution, emphasizing the importance of adhering to regulatory frameworks.
As pressure mounts on telecom operators, it remains to be seen whether the NCC will intervene further to regulate pricing and address consumers’ concerns. For now, many Nigerians remain frustrated with the increasing cost of mobile data and the uncertainty surrounding MTN’s pricing structure.
