Airtel Nigeria, the country’s second-largest telecommunications operator, has introduced a tariff hike of up to 50% on its data bundles, as revealed in an update on its website on Monday.
The adjustment impacts several data plans and reflects growing concerns across the telecom sector about rising operational costs. Although Airtel has not issued an official statement, the move aligns with a broader trend among telecom operators seeking tariff reviews to mitigate the effects of inflation and foreign exchange fluctuations.
In addition to the data price increase, Airtel, which boasts over 56 million subscribers, also raised voice call tariffs over the weekend. A senior Airtel official, speaking with the press on Monday, confirmed the changes, citing rising costs as the primary driver.
Airtel’s revised price list reassures customers of its commitment to affordability, stating: “Whatever your data needs are, we have a plan for you. Our fast, affordable, and reliable internet experience will keep you connected anytime, anywhere. To get started, Dial *312#.”
The updated daily and weekly data plans include:
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)
N350 for 350MB (valid for 7 days)
N500 for 750MB + 1GB YouTube Night + 200MB YouTube Music/Spotify (valid for 7 days)
N500 for 1GB + 1GB YouTube Night + 50MB Socials (valid for 7 days)
N500 for 2GB (valid for 2 days)
N1500 for 5GB (valid for 7 days)
Similarly, MTN, Nigeria’s largest telecom provider, has also adjusted its data and call rates following the Nigerian Communications Commission’s (NCC) approval.
These price increases, which took effect last week, have resulted in higher costs for calls, SMS, and internet services. Telecom operators cite inflation, forex volatility, and escalating network expansion costs as key factors behind the adjustments.
While these changes aim to sustain service quality and future network upgrades, subscribers may face additional financial burdens as communication expenses rise.
