Airtel Nigeria Announces Data Price Hike Amid Rising Costs

Airtel Nigeria, one of the country’s leading telecommunications operators, has announced a significant increase in its data prices, sparking widespread outrage among subscribers.

The adjustment, reflected on the company’s website and confirmed via the *312# code, comes amid rising operational costs and a difficult economic landscape.

According to the telco’s website, the new pricing affects various data bundles, with daily plans now set at N50 for 40MB (valid for one day), N100 for 100MB (one day), N200 for 200MB (three days), and N350 for 1GB (one day).

Weekly plans now cost N350 for 350MB (seven days), N500 for 750MB plus 1GB YouTube Night and 200MB YouTube Music/Spotify (seven days), N500 for 1GB plus 1GB YouTube Night and 50MB Socials (seven days), and N500 for 2GB (two days).

For monthly plans, the 3GB package now costs N2,000, up from 1.5GB at N1,200, while 4GB is now N2,500, previously 3GB at N1,500.

Other adjustments include 8GB for N3,000 (formerly 4.5GB at N2,000), 10GB for N4,000 (formerly 6GB at N2,500), 13GB for N5,000 (from 10GB at N3,000), 18GB for N6,000 (formerly 15GB at N4,000), and 25GB for N8,000 (replacing 18GB at N5,000).

Call rates have also increased from 18 kobo per second to 25 kobo per second.

The changes have been met with anger from customers, who took to social media to express their frustration.

A subscriber, Okikiola (@okikiola_Ayoade), wrote: “Return our data bundles back e no easy to dey get money, you people dey inconvenience us, data from 3000 for 20GB is now 3000 for 10GB.

“Why are we suffering for what we are paying for, ogun dey kee una shey until when we no get clothes for neck again?”

Another user, Jessy Paul (@Firstjessy), criticised the telco for scrapping its previous data offer, saying: “Can you change it back to what it used to be or should I break my Airtel SIM and switch to another network?”

ShadeFX D BoiCrypt (@ShadeFx__) also condemned the increase, writing: “Life is already hard for us and you decided to add more to it by being heartless. Why increase data plans and then exhaust it so fast? What did we do wrong by choosing to use your network? Does it sound fair to you now? Are you happy? This is evil.”

In response to the backlash, Airtel Nigeria apologised on its X page, stating: “We extend our sincere understanding regarding your concerns, and wish to apprise you that comprehensive revisions have been effectuated across our voice and data plans.”

The tariff hike follows a similar adjustment by MTN Nigeria, which recently increased its prices by about 50 per cent to manage rising operational costs.

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) had earlier approved a maximum tariff increment of 50 per cent for telecom operators, citing sustainability concerns.

The commission explained that the decision was made under Section 108 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003, after consultations with key stakeholders in both the public and private sectors.

Despite the justification, customers remain dissatisfied, with many calling for a reversal of the new pricing structure.

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SaharaReporters had reported that the price of MTN’s 15GB data bundle also skyrocketed from N2000 to N6000, while the 1.5TB plan jumped from N150,000 to N240,000.

Other bundles, including the 100GB and 600GB plans, also saw substantial increases, sparking outrage among subscribers.

In an initial response to the backlash, MTN defended the price adjustments on X (formerly Twitter), stating: “A price increase has been implemented to enhance our services and serve you better, which is why you are seeing the updated amount.”
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