MTN Nigeria has reversed its 200% increase on the 15GB data plan, following intense backlash from customers and pressure from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC). The tariff increase, which raised the cost from N4,500 to N6,500, was met with strong criticism, with Labour calling for a boycott of telecom services and urging the Federal Government to sanction MTN for what it described as an act of impunity.
In an official statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), MTN acknowledged the frustration caused by the sudden price hike and apologized to its customers. The company admitted to the misstep, stating: “We could give explanations, but omo, all that one na story. We don cast. We get it and admit it. Let’s just say na mistake.”
MTN’s decision to reverse the increase came amid mounting pressure from Nigerian consumers, advocacy groups, and Labour unions, who condemned the move as exploitative given the country’s harsh economic conditions. Many Nigerians took to social media to express their dissatisfaction, arguing that the price hike was unjustifiable.
The price increase affected not just the 15GB plan but also other larger data plans, with the 20GB package rising from N5,500 to N7,500, while the 1.5TB 90-day package surged from N150,000 to N240,000. Additionally, SMS rates were increased from N4 to N6 per message.
Labour’s Reaction and Threat of Nationwide Protest
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) was one of the strongest voices against the price hike, calling it a blatant disregard for stakeholder agreements. Labour leaders, while welcoming MTN’s reversal, demanded that the Federal Government impose sanctions on telecom operators who implement tariff increases without due consultation.
A Labour leader, speaking anonymously, described MTN’s action as an “act of impunity and rascality”, stating that such behavior should not be tolerated.
“We are demanding that the government sanctions MTN for its impunity. What the company did was an insult to the Nigerian people and the government. They would not dare to do this in South Africa. Whether they reversed it or not, their actions should not go unpunished,” he said.
The NLC had earlier declared an industrial action, calling on Nigerians to boycott telecom services between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. daily from February 11 to the end of the month. Labour had also warned that if telecom companies failed to revert to the old tariff structure by the end of February, a total shutdown of their operations nationwide would commence on March 1, 2025.
Industry-Wide Tariff Adjustments
MTN’s initial price hike came amid broader changes in the Nigerian telecommunications sector. Reports indicate that telecom operators received final approval from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to implement a 50% tariff adjustment, citing rising operational costs.
However, while MTN moved forward with the increase, competitors such as Airtel, Globacom, and 9mobile have yet to implement similar changes.
The NLC and Federal Government had previously convened a 10-member committee—comprising five members from each party—to further deliberate on telecom pricing before any final decision was made. The committee’s deadline ends this week, yet MTN had already implemented a 50% increase in its tariffs before the committee could reach a resolution.
This move by MTN further fueled the Labour movement’s outrage, prompting calls for immediate government intervention.
Customer Reactions and the Future of Telecom Pricing
Following MTN’s reversal, customer reactions have been mixed. While some Nigerians welcomed the company’s apology, others remained skeptical, accusing MTN of testing the waters before eventually implementing another increase in the future.
Social media has been flooded with comments from subscribers who feel that MTN’s initial decision was exploitative, given the worsening economic situation in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, industry experts warn that future price adjustments are inevitable, as telecom operators face rising operational costs, inflation, and foreign exchange challenges.
Although MTN has rolled back its 15GB data plan price hike, it remains uncertain whether other telecom companies will maintain current pricing or proceed with NCC-approved increases in the coming months.
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