Following a tariff increase implemented in January 2025, telecommunication consumers now pay 65.22 percent more for 1 gigabyte (1GB) of data.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) approved a 50 percent increase in calls, data, and SMS tariffs after a decade-long push by telecom operators for price adjustments because of harsh economic conditions.
This raised the floor price of calls to N9.6 per minute from N6.40. The cost of SMS rose to N6 from N4, with the cost of 1GB of data increasing to N431.25 from N287.5.
Most telecom operators have since adjusted their pricing structures accordingly. A price analysis by BusinessDay revealed that the average cost of 1GB of data across MTN Nigeria, Airtel Nigeria,Globacom, and 9mobile has risen by 65.22 percent, from N287.5 to N475, based on published rates on their websites.
Airtel’s 1GB plan now costs N500, up from N350, while MTN raised its price from N200 to N350. Glo increased its 1GB plan to N750 from N300 while replacing its 1GB bundle with a 1.1GB bundle. Prices on 9mobile have remained the same at N300.
The price hike comes at a time when digital services are crucial to everyday life, with Nigeria’s monthly internet consumption reaching 1,000,930.6 terabytes. Affordable data costs have played a role in boosting usage.
According to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), data cost in Nigeria (as a percentage of the gross national income per capita) for a basic data-only package is the lowest in West Africa and well below the continent’s average.
Generally, the data increments have increased the hardship faced by many Nigerians.
“I used to recharge just N1,500 and use it for more than a week because I have a MiFi at home and use it for my heavy data usage. But I recharged that same N1,500, and it was deleted before the third day. The bundle is smaller now, meaning I must spend more for my previous bundle,” stated John Felix.