Telecom subscribers in Nigeria have voiced growing concerns over what they describe as unexplained data depletion, prompting calls for investigations by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC). The complaints intensified after a 50 percent tariff hike on data and call prices was implemented in February, with users expressing frustration over both the rising costs and rapid depletion of their data.
Operators have defended their billing systems, arguing that increased data consumption is linked to user behavior, particularly the shift from 3G and 4G networks to 5G and an increase in video streaming. They emphasize that there is no mechanism for reducing customers’ data arbitrarily. However, many subscribers remain unconvinced, insisting that the issue lies in the operators’ billing systems, not their usage patterns.
The controversy also escalated when the Nigerian Senate urged the Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy to engage with telecom operators to review the costs of data and internet-related services. Meanwhile, customer service teams from telecom companies have been interacting with dissatisfied customers on social media, offering tips on managing data usage.
Some subscribers have taken to social media, sharing screenshots of their emails to regulators and demanding action. “Data prices are too high these days. Every Nigerian should report the operators to NCC, FCCPC, and send them thousands of emails; otherwise, this price hike won’t stop,” one user wrote, while another expressed dissatisfaction: “Not only has data become more expensive, but it also seems to deplete faster than before. This is unacceptable.”
In January 2025, Nigeria’s internet consumption crossed the one million terabyte mark for the first time, highlighting the country’s growing reliance on digital services and connectivity. Despite these rising concerns, the NCC has not responded to requests for comments.
An executive at a major telecom company, who spoke anonymously, explained that the shift to 5G is naturally driving higher data consumption, similar to past transitions between 2G, 3G, and 4G networks. “5G is expanding, and we are seeing more people move from 4G to 5G. The reality is that as people access faster internet, they consume more data,” the official stated.
In response to the complaints, the NCC mandated telecom operators in July 2024 to simplify their tariff plans, provide clearer billing information, and undergo independent audits to address data depletion issues. So far, no operator has been found in violation of these directives.
Operators maintain that the quantity of data is standardized globally and that the real issue lies in user consumption patterns. “There’s no difference in the quantity of data, whether you’re in Nigeria, the US, or Europe. What changes is how people use it,” an insider added.
As data services become the primary driver of telecom revenue, Nigeria’s increasing demand for digital services is expected to continue benefiting telecom companies. Nigerians rank fifth globally in daily social media usage, averaging over three hours per day on platforms like Instagram and Facebook.
Telecom giants like MTN have seen substantial growth in data-driven revenue, with MTN Nigeria reporting a 36 percent increase in revenue to N3.36 trillion for the year ending December 2024. In contrast, Airtel Nigeria saw a decline in its data revenue, dropping to $344 million for the nine months ending December 31, 2024, compared to $539 million in the same period the previous year.
MTN Nigeria’s CEO, Karl Toriola, highlighted the exceptional demand for data in Nigeria, emphasizing that the telecom company is positioning itself to capitalize on this growth for the next decade.
