The House of Representatives has directed the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, along with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), to put a hold on the planned increase in telecommunications tariffs until there is a noticeable improvement in service quality.
This decision follows a growing trend of subscribers switching to other network providers due to MTN Nigeria’s sudden rise in data and SMS prices.
The House took this stance after adopting a motion of urgent public concern put forward by Obuku Oforji, the representative for Yenagoa/Kolokuma/Opokuma federal constituency in Bayelsa State, during yesterday’s plenary session.
Presenting the motion, Oforji recalled that after a stakeholder meeting with mobile network operators in Abuja on January 8, 2025, the minister revealed that telecom tariffs were set to increase soon.
He cited the minister’s statement that discussions were ongoing, with some companies pushing for tariff hikes of up to 100 percent. However, the minister clarified that while there would be an increase, it would not reach that level, and the NCC would approve and announce the new rates in due time.
The lawmaker highlighted the telecom companies’ justification for the tariff hike, which includes infrastructure investments, improved networks, and the rising demand for digital services across key sectors such as education, banking, and healthcare.
Oforji stated: “The National Association of Telecoms Subscribers has rejected the proposed tariff increase, calling it insensitive and an added burden on consumers who are already struggling with economic challenges and poor network quality.
“It is crucial that telecom providers focus on improving their service delivery, something Nigerians have long demanded, before considering any tariff adjustment.”
Expressing further concerns, he warned that the impact of these price hikes would worsen the financial difficulties of ordinary Nigerians, hinder the country’s efforts to use technology for economic recovery, deepen poverty, and widen social inequality, with lower-income families bearing the brunt.
Subscribers Abandon MTN Over Sudden Price Hike
Meanwhile, many customers have begun switching to alternative network providers following MTN Nigeria’s sharp increase in data and SMS rates.
The telecom giant recently introduced price adjustments of up to 50 percent on data bundles and SMS charges, triggering widespread backlash.
Reports indicate that the 15GB data plan has jumped from N4,500 to N6,500, while the 20GB package now costs N7,500, up from N5,500. Larger data plans have seen even steeper increases, with the 1.5TB (90-day) plan rising from N150,000 to N240,000 and the 600GB (90-day) package increasing from N75,000 to N120,000. SMS rates have also gone up from N4 to N6 per message.
These price changes have frustrated many Nigerians, leading to heated discussions on social media.
A Twitter user, @not_ahmedjunior, lamented: “It’s becoming impossible for the average Nigerian to survive. The 15GB data plan that once cost N2,000 is now N6,000.”
Similarly, @official_GZU argued that the price hike was a reflection of the country’s economic situation rather than an arbitrary decision by telecom operators.
“Complaints won’t change anything. These companies operate in a profit-driven market where prices are dictated by inflation, currency fluctuations, and economic conditions,” he noted.
Adding to customers’ frustration, media platform OloriSuperGal reported that MTN has discontinued its “Hot Deals” (*121#) package, which previously offered discounted data plans.
This adjustment surpasses the 50 percent increase reportedly approved by the Federal Government. It also contradicts MTN’s earlier proposal of a 150 percent hike, which was rejected by the NCC.
Many subscribers were caught off guard as the new pricing took effect earlier than expected, despite ongoing negotiations between the telecom providers and the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC).
The abrupt hike has sparked calls for a boycott, with customers already burdened by economic challenges expressing their dissatisfaction online.
A user named Khan tweeted: “It’s time we stop using MTN. Their service is poor, and their data plans are ridiculously expensive. The 15GB plan barely lasts three days. They even sabotaged their network during the protests.”
Another user, Silva, wrote: “Living in Nigeria is incredibly difficult. MTN arbitrarily increasing the weekly 15GB plan from N2,000 to N6,000 without warning is outrageous. That’s nearly N24,000 per month—almost equivalent to the national minimum wage. This is madness.”
Similarly, @neefenawti criticized the government’s regulatory inaction, stating, “I don’t even blame MTN. In a country where the president openly rejects price control, what do you expect? The government is simply watching as people sink further into poverty.”
While MTN has yet to officially address the backlash, the decision has left many subscribers feeling exploited.
With Airtel, Globacom, and 9mobile yet to announce similar increases, speculation is growing over whether they will follow MTN’s lead or capitalize on the situation to attract disgruntled customers.
As public outrage builds, Nigerians are calling for urgent regulatory intervention to ensure fair pricing and greater transparency in the telecom sector.
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