NCC 50% hike takes effect as MTN increase data fee

MTN Nigeria has begun effecting the 50% tariff hike approved by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on January 24, 2025, catching many subscribers off guard.

While a 50% hike was approved, not all tariffs increased by the same amount.

TopNaija.ng recalls that in 2024, telecom operators asked the NCC to allow it to increase the tariff as it had not done so in 11 years, but the government denied this request.

The discussion only became serious in January 2025, when telcos threatened to suspend their services in some parts of the country, explaining that a tariff increase was the only way forward as the telecommunication industry was at risk of collapsing without it.

After an initial 100% increase in demand, the NCC met them halfway and approved a 50% increase.

Checkout MTN’s new data prices?

• 1.8GB monthly plan formerly ₦1,000 now costs ₦1,500

• 15GB plan formerly ₦4,500 now costs ₦6,500

• 90-day 1.5TB plan formerly ₦150,000 now costs ₦240,000

• 600GB 90-day plan formerly ₦75,000 now costs ₦120,000

• 20GB plan formerly ₦5,500 now costs ₦7,500

How about other network providers?

Except for SWIFT Networks, which have also increased its prices by 50%, other network providers like Globacom, Airtel, and Etisalat are yet to effect the increase on their end. However, they have all begun charging ₦6 for text messages, as against the former price of ₦4.

The old prices of telecommunication services include calls at ₦11 per minute, SMS at ₦4, and 1GB data bundle at ₦287.50.