NIGERIANS REACTION TO DATA PRICE HIKE
By Peace Ugwuoke
The recent data price increment has sparked widespread outrage among Nigerians. We took to the streets to hear from individuals directly affected by the hike.
Q: HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE RECENT DATA PRICE INCREMENT?
Favour, a student of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka
“I recently received a notification from my network provider about an upcoming price increase. I’m still trying to wrap my head around it, considering data prices are already steep. The constant price hikes are becoming unsustainable. It is frustrating to think that I will have to pay even more for data. This increase will likely affect my mobile budget significantly.”
Uchenna, A businessman in University of Nigeria, Nsukka
“As an entrepreneur, I rely heavily on data for my business operations, so the news of a price increase is devastating. It is disheartening to think that something as vital as data is becoming increasingly unaffordable. I feel like the network providers are exploiting our dependence on their services. This price hike will undoubtedly affect my business’s bottom line and may force me to pass the costs on to my customers. It is frustrating to feel like am being taken advantage of, especially when data is such a essential tool for my work.”
Jude, an entrepreneur
“As a business owner with loved ones living abroad, staying connected with them is crucial for me. WhatsApp and video calls have been a lifeline, allowing us to maintain our relationship despite the distance. But with the impending increase in price , I am worried that it will become more difficult to stay in touch. The thought of paying more to communicate with my family is unsettling, especially since we rely on these digital tools to stay close. This price hike will undoubtedly affect my personal life and relationships, making it harder to maintain those precious connections.”
Emeka, a non – profit worker.
“As someone who’s worked with rural communities, I have seen firsthand the challenges they face in accessing affordable data. Many people in this areas already struggle to stay connected due to high costs and limited infrastructure. The impending price increase will only exacerbate this issue, making it even harder for them to access vital information and services. This will disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, such as low-income households, students, and small business owners. By increasing data prices, we risk widening the digital divide and further marginalizing already disadvantaged communities.”
The data price hike refers to the recent increase in the cost of mobile data plans, primarily implemented by Nigerian telecommunications companies like MTN, Airtel, and Glo, following approval from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) allowing for a 50% tariff increase. For example the MTN 20GB plan has been adjusted to N7,500, up from N5,500, while the 15GB plan now costs N6,500, a rise from N4,500. Also text message now cost N6.00, a rise from N4.00.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Media Centre described the approval as an important step aimed at addressing critical challenges in the telecommunications sector. The Centre noted that the telecom industry in Nigeria had operated under static price mechanisms for over a decade as prices have remained unchanged since 2013, despite significant increases in the cost of operations.
