I hate to be the bearer of this bad news, but the dreaded day is here鈥 MTN Nigeria has increased the prices of its internet data plans, and the new prices are not funny.
Where鈥檚 this increase coming from?
This increase is happening because the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) approved a 50% tariff hike on January 20, but it also goes way back.
In 2024, telecom operators asked the NCC to allow it to increase the tariff as it had not done so in 11 years, but the government denied this request. The discussion only became serious in January 2025, when telcos threatened to suspend their services in some parts of the country, explaining that a tariff increase was the only way forward as the telecommunication industry was at risk of collapsing without it. After an initial 100% increase in demand, the NCC met them halfway and approved a 50% increase.聽
What are MTN鈥檚 new data prices?
- 1.8GB monthly plan formerly 鈧1,000 now costs 鈧1,500
- 15GB plan formerly 鈧4,500 now costs 鈧6,500聽
- 90-day 1.5TB plan formerly 鈧150,000 聽 now costs 鈧240,000
- 600GB 90-day plan formerly 鈧75,000 now costs聽 鈧120,000聽
- 聽20GB plan formerly 鈧5,500 now costs 鈧7,500
Does the 50% hike affect all MTN services?
No, it doesn鈥檛. Some prices have remained the same while others have changed. An MTN executive who spoke to on anonymity said the telecom company is not effecting a 鈥50% increase on every plan, but rather an across-the-board adjustment,鈥 in order to ensure they keep the grassroots connected.
How about other network providers?
Except for SWIFT Networks, which have also increased its prices by 50%, other network providers like Globacom, Airtel, and Etisalat are yet to effect the increase on their end. However, they have all begun charging 鈧6 for text messages, as against the former price of 鈧4.
The old prices of telecommunication services include calls at 鈧11 per minute, SMS at 鈧4, and 1GB data bundle at 鈧287.50.
This is a developing story…
If you want to follow the tariff hike story way back to when it began, you should read this article read this next: Here鈥檚 Why the NLC Wants You to Reject the New 50% Hike on Calls and Data Subscriptions
