MTN Nigeria, the country’s largest telecommunications operator, has swiftly reversed a controversial 200% tariff increase on its 15GB weekly data plan after facing intense backlash from customers and regulatory concerns. The decision to roll back the hike was announced via the company’s official X (formerly Twitter) account on Thursday, accompanied by a public apology in Pidgin English aimed at placating outraged subscribers.
On Tuesday, MTN quietly increased the cost of its 15GB weekly data plan from N2,000 to N6,000, catching customers off guard. The move, which represented a dramatic price surge, directly contravened the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC)’s 2023 directive limiting telecom tariff increases to a maximum of 50%. As news of the price hike spread, customers took to social media to express their frustration, demanding explanations and regulatory intervention.
By Thursday, MTN had reversed the increase, reinstating the original N2,000 price tag. In an effort to soften the blow, the telecom giant issued a candid and colloquial apology titled “Forgive and Forget.” The statement, written in Pidgin English, read:
“We know how upsetting it must have been to suddenly wake up to a 200 percent increase on your favourite digital bundle. We could share several reasons and provide explanations, but omo, all that one na story. We don cast. We get it and admit it. Let’s just say na mistake.”
- Regulatory Breach: The 200% price increase violated NCC’s directive, raising concerns about MTN’s adherence to telecom regulations.
- Economic Hardship: With Nigeria grappling with a 33.7% inflation rate and rising living costs, subscribers viewed the hike as exploitative.
- Lack of Transparency: Customers were not notified in advance, leading to accusations of unfair pricing tactics.
While the NCC has yet to issue a formal response, industry analysts speculate that MTN could face regulatory scrutiny, fines, or tighter oversight. The incident underscores the delicate balance telecom operators must maintain between profitability and consumer affordability in Nigeria’s highly competitive market. Rival networks such as Airtel and Glo may seize the opportunity to attract disgruntled customers with more affordable data plans and promotional offers.
Nigeria’s telecommunications sector is under mounting financial pressure due to escalating operational costs, including rising diesel prices, currency fluctuations, and frequent infrastructure vandalism. While operators have repeatedly pushed for tariff adjustments to sustain their businesses, MTN’s pricing misstep highlights the risks of implementing abrupt and extreme increases without customer engagement.
- Regulatory Scrutiny: The NCC may launch an audit of MTN’s pricing models to prevent future violations.
- Customer Trust Rebuilding: MTN faces the challenge of regaining customer goodwill, with some users demanding compensation for service disruptions.
- Market Share Concerns: Competitors may capitalize on the controversy by offering incentives to poach discontented MTN subscribers.
With Nigeria boasting over 164 million mobile internet users, affordability remains a crucial factor in digital inclusion. MTN’s pricing debacle serves as a cautionary tale for telecom operators navigating regulatory frameworks and consumer expectations in a volatile economic landscape.
