MTN Nigeria has rescinded its 200% tariff increase on the 15GB data plan in response to substantial customer backlash and an industrial action initiated by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) against telecommunications operators.
The decision to retract the hike followed Organised Labour’s call for the Federal Government to impose penalties on the telecom operator for allegedly breaching stakeholder agreements by implementing the price increase, asserting that such actions are unacceptable.
In a statement on its official X account, MTN acknowledged the dissatisfaction caused by the sudden price increase and extended an apology to its subscribers. On February 11, the company raised the price of the 15GB plan from N4,500 to N6,500 and the 20GB plan from N5,500 to N7,500. Additionally, larger data plans experienced increases, with the 1.5TB 90-day package rising from N150,000 to N240,000 and the 600GB 90-day plan from N75,000 to N120,000. SMS rates also increased from N4 to N6 per message.
Following numerous complaints, MTN reversed the price hike and issued a public apology, stating, “To our 15GB digital bundle lovers, we know you’re upset. We understand how frustrating it must have been to wake up to a 200% increase on your favorite bundle.” The company accepted full responsibility, acknowledging, “We could give explanations, but all that one na story. We get it and admit it. Let’s just say na mistake.”
In a bid to maintain customer loyalty during the Valentine season, MTN appealed to subscribers for forgiveness, stating, “In this love season, don’t stay angry with us. Please forgive and forget. You matter die, and we will never stop showing you how much.”
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The reversal has elicited mixed reactions online. While some customers welcomed MTN’s apology, others criticized the initial increase as unjustifiable given Nigeria’s economic circumstances. MTN’s price hike occurred amid broader adjustments in the telecommunications sector, with industry sources indicating that telecom operators had received approval from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for a 50% tariff adjustment due to escalating operational costs. Competitors such as Airtel, Globacom, and 9mobile had not yet implemented similar changes at the time of this report.
In response, Organised Labour urged the Federal Government to sanction telecom operators for violating stakeholder agreements. A labour leader characterized MTN’s initial hike as “an act of impunity and rascality” that should not be tolerated, stressing that such conduct undermines industrial relations.
The NLC had previously expressed outrage over the tariff hikes imposed by telecom companies, despite an agreement reached with the Federal Government and the NCC, demanding an immediate reversal to avert serious consequences. A committee of ten, comprising five members from each party, was established to deliberate on the matter, with a deadline of two weeks ending this week. However, some telecom companies had already enacted a 50% hike.
The NLC cautioned that if telecom companies do not revert to the previous tariffs by the end of February 2025, a nationwide shutdown of their operations would commence on March 1, 2025. As an initial step in resisting the tariff hike, the Labour movement directed that from February 13, 2025, workers and citizens should boycott the services of MTN, Airtel, and Glo daily between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. until the end of February 2025. The NLC encouraged workers and citizens to suspend purchasing data from these companies.
