Nigeria’s largest telecom operator, MTN, has begun implementing a 50% tariff increase approved by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in January.
The tariff adjustment, which has affected data plans, has left call and SMS rates unchanged for now.
An MTN senior executive, who requested anonymity, confirmed the development in a conversation with our correspondent on Tuesday, noting that while the price list updates are underway, the process is gradual.
The changes primarily impact several data plans. For example, the 1.5GB monthly plan, previously priced at ₦1,000, has been replaced by a 1.8GB plan now priced at ₦1,500. Similarly, the 15GB plan has increased from ₦4,500 to ₦6,500, and the 20GB plan now costs ₦7,500, up from ₦5,500.
Larger data bundles have seen even steeper price hikes. The 1.5 terabyte 90-day plan has risen from ₦150,000 to ₦240,000, while the 600GB 90-day plan now costs ₦120,000, up from ₦75,000, according to the updated list.
The NCC approved the tariff hike in January, citing rising operational costs and the need for the sector’s long-term sustainability. The Commission emphasized that the decision aligns with its regulatory mandate under Section 108 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.
However, the National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers (NATCOMS) has voiced its opposition, threatening legal action and calling for the tariff increase to be reversed to just 10%.
