Airtel Nigeria, the country’s second-largest telecommunications operator, has made significant adjustments to its data pricing structure.
A check by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) using the *312# code and on the Airtel website confirmed the revised data prices.
According to the company’s website, the price revision, which affects various data bundles, is aimed at addressing the rising operational costs the company faces amid a challenging economic environment.
The revised data plans, as published on Airtel Nigeria’s website, include the following daily and weekly options:
Daily Plans:
- N50 for 40MB (valid for 1 day)
- N100 for 100MB (valid for 1 day)
- N200 for 200MB (valid for 3 days)
- N350 for 1GB (valid for 1 day)
Weekly Plans:
- N350 for 350MB (valid for 7 days)
- N500 for 750MB plus 1GB YouTube Night and 200MB YouTube Music/Spotify (valid for 7 days)
- N500 for 1GB plus 1GB YouTube Night and 50MB for Socials (valid for 7 days)
- N500 for 2GB (valid for 2 days)
Airtel Nigeria has also made adjustments to its monthly data plans. The revised pricing includes:
- 3GB for N2,000 (up from 1.5GB at N1,200)
- 4GB for N2,500 (formerly 3GB at N1,500)
- 8GB for N3,000 (previously 4.5GB at N2,000)
- 10GB for N4,000 (formerly 6GB at N2,500)
- 13GB for N5,000 (up from 10GB at N3,000)
- 18GB for N6,000 (formerly 15GB at N4,000)
- 25GB for N8,000 (replacing 18GB at N5,000)
Additionally, Airtel’s call rates have increased to 25 kobo per second, up from around 18 kobo per second. However, some tariff plans remain unchanged, such as the 5GB per week for N1,500.
This move follows a recent 50% tariff hike by MTN Nigeria, implemented to offset rising operational costs.
Subscribers have voiced their dissatisfaction with the changes, with complaints flooding Airtel’s X page, according to NAN reports.
A subscriber, Okikiola (@okikiola_Ayoade), expressed frustration over the price hikes, stating: “Return our data bundles back! It’s not easy to make money, and you people are inconveniencing us. Data from 3,000 for 20GB is now 3,000 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 subscriber, Jessy Paul (@Firstjessy), questioned Airtel for discontinuing its previous data offer, stating that the only reason he had been using the network was because of its reasonable plans. “Can you change it back to what it used to be, or should I break my Airtel SIM and switch to another network?” Paul asked.
Similarly, ShadeFX D BoiCrypt (@ShadeFx__) expressed frustration, saying: “Life is already hard for us, and you decided to add more to it by being heartless. Why increase data plans and then exhaust them so fast? What did we do wrong by choosing to use your network? Does this sound fair to you now? Are you happy? This is evil,” he said.
In response, Airtel issued an apology on its X page, acknowledging the inconvenience caused by the data increase for affected subscribers. “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 company said.
According to NAN, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the industry’s regulatory body, approved a maximum 50% tariff increase for operators, citing the need to ensure the sustainability of the telecommunications industry. The commission stated that the approval was in response to rising operational costs and was made under its power in Section 108 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003 (NCA).
The NCC emphasized that, while it understood the public’s concerns, the decision followed extensive consultations with key stakeholders across both the public and private sectors.
