MTN Nigeria, the country's largest telecommunications provider, has begun implementing a 50% tariff increase approved by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in January. This adjustment primarily affects data plans, with call and SMS rates remaining unchanged for now.

A senior MTN executive confirmed that the company is gradually updating its price lists but has not yet completed this process for all products.

The price changes are evident in several data plans. For example, the monthly 1.5GB plan has been replaced by a 1.8GB plan priced at ₦1,500, up from ₦1,000 previously. The weekly 15GB plan now costs ₦6,500 after rising from ₦4,500.

Larger bundles have seen more significant increases: the 90-day 1.5 terabyte plan jumped from ₦150,000 to ₦240,000 and the 600GB plan increased from ₦75,000 to ₦120,000.

The NCC approved this tariff hike citing rising operational costs and the need to ensure long-term sustainability of the telecommunications sector. However, not all subscribers are pleased with these changes; some have expressed frustration on social media platforms. The National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers (NATCOMS) opposes this increase and is considering legal action against it.

While MTN has started implementing these changes immediately following NCC approval on January 24th, other major operators like Airtel and Globacom are expected to follow suit soon.

Despite initial requests for over a hundred percent hike by some operators due to inflationary pressures and currency devaluation over eleven years without tariff adjustments.