Nigerians woke up to an unpleasant surprise this month as MTN, Airtel, 9Mobile, and Glo rolled out a 50% increase in telecom tariffs, following approval from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). The hike, which took effect on February 11, 2025, has sparked outrage among consumers, who are now paying significantly more for calls, SMS, and data.
The official reason behind the sharp increase is the crippling effects of inflation and foreign exchange volatility. Telecom operators have struggled with rising operational costs, and according to industry insiders, this was the only way to prevent further financial turmoil.
What You’re Now Paying for Calls, SMS, and Data
- Calls: Increased from ₦11 to ₦16.25 per minute
- SMS: Increased from ₦4 to ₦6 per message
- 1GB Data: Increased from ₦350 to ₦525
While the tariff hike is frustrating for users, Nigeria still ranks among the countries with the lowest data costs in Africa. According to the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), 1GB of data in Ghana costs $2.66, in Kenya it’s $2.92, and in South Africa, users pay a whopping $7.98—far higher than Nigeria’s $2.35 per GB.
Beyond the price surge, the NCC has placed a strict three-month deadline on telecom operators to improve network quality. If service providers fail to meet the new performance benchmarks, they face heavy penalties.
Will the Price Hike Save the Telecom Industry?
Industry giants like Airtel and MTN have been bleeding money due to economic instability. Airtel alone reported a loss of ₦514.9 billion in the first nine months of 2024, while MTN recorded an $89 million loss in the 2023/2024 fiscal year. The tariff increase is seen as a lifeline to keep the industry afloat and prevent a total collapse.
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What’s Next?
With consumers frustrated and businesses struggling, all eyes are now on telecom operators to deliver the promised improvements in service quality. Whether the price hike will stabilize the industry—or just burden Nigerians further—remains to be seen.
Stay tuned for updates on how this affects your wallet and connectivity.
