News

Subscribers React As MTN Raises Data Prices To Reflect 50% Tariff Hike

Published

4 months ago

February 11, 2025

Editor

Nigerian subscribers are reportedly switching to alternative network providers following a sharp increase in MTN Nigeria’s data and SMS tariffs.

The telecommunications giant recently implemented a price adjustment of up to 50 per cent on its data bundles and SMS rates, sparking widespread backlash.

Reports from affected users indicate that the 15GB data plan has increased from N4,500 to N6,500, while the 20GB plan now costs N7,500, up from N5,500. The hike is even steeper for larger plans, with the 1.5TB 90-day package surging from N150,000 to N240,000 and the 600GB 90-day plan rising from N75,000 to ₦120,000. SMS rates have also increased from N4 to N6 per message.

The development has sparked frustration, with many Nigerians taking to social media to express their dissatisfaction. Social media user @not_ahmedjunior lamented, “It’s nearly impossible for the average Nigerian to progress. The 15GB data plan that used to cost N2,000 is now N6,000.”

Similarly, another user, @official_GZU, pointed out that the price hike reflects the country’s economic realities rather than a random decision.

“Complaining won’t change anything because telecom operators operate within a profit-driven system. Prices are influenced by inflation, currency devaluation, and market forces,” he said.

Adding to the frustration, media platform OloriSuperGal reported that MTN has also discontinued its “Hot Deals” package (*121#), which previously offered discounted data plans.

This increase exceeds the 50% hike reportedly approved by the federal government and contradicts MTN’s initial proposal of a 150% increase, which was rejected by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). Subscribers were further shocked as the price adjustment took effect earlier than expected, despite ongoing discussions with the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC).

The sudden price increase has triggered a wave of backlash, with subscribers already struggling with Nigeria’s economic challenges expressing their frustration online. Many have called on MTN to reconsider its decision, while some are advocating for a boycott.

One user, Khan, wrote: “I think it’s high time we boycotted MTN. Their network is terrible, and their data plans are a rip-off. The 15GB package doesn’t even last three days. During the protest, they deliberately sabotaged their own network to prevent it from happening.”

Another user, Silva, tweeted: “Nigeria is a very difficult place to live in, honestly. MTN waking up one day to increase their weekly 15GB data from 2K to 6K without prior warning is textbook insanity. That’s 24K in a month—almost the minimum wage of the country spent on data. This is hell.”

Similarly, @neefenawti criticized the government’s regulatory stance, saying: “I won’t even blame MTN. In a country where the president said he does not believe in price control, what do you expect? The government is watching people plunge further into poverty.”

While MTN has yet to issue an official statement explaining the price increase, the decision has left many subscribers feeling shortchanged. With Airtel, Globacom, and 9mobile yet to announce similar hikes, there is growing speculation about whether MTN’s move will influence competitors or lead to a shift in customer loyalty.

As the situation unfolds, Nigerians are calling for urgent regulatory intervention to ensure affordability and transparency in telecom pricing.

News

Benue Crisis: I’m Happy Nigerians Rebuked You – VDM Slams Billionaire Kiddwaya For Donation Appeal

Published

2 hours ago

June 20, 2025

Editor

Social commentator and activist, VeryDarkMan has called out billionaire heir and reality star Kiddwaya for seeking public donations to support victims of the recent attack in Yelwata, Benue State.

Kiddwaya had shared a post on X (formerly Twitter), urging Nigerians to contribute funds for the affected community.

However, the post drew widespread criticism, leading him to delete it.

Reacting in a video also posted on X, VeryDarkMan condemned the move, questioning the sincerity of someone who is known for flaunting his wealth, now asking ordinary citizens for money.

“The first thing you could do, you just quickly do one write up next thing you go drop account number. How would you know what the Benue people need when you never go there. You just dey wherever you dey, write one nonsense letter come drop account,” he said.

The activist added, “I’m happy Nigerians rebuked you to the point wey you go delete am, e sweet my body. Because you na guy man wey like dey brag about your wealth. Every time you rub your wealth on people’s face, show say na you better pass every Nigerian.”

VeryDarkMan also cautioned NGOs against exploiting the crisis in Benue by raising funds for food items, arguing that the real issue is insecurity, not hunger.

“To every NGO in the country that might want to take advantage of the happenings in Benue State, the people of Benue are not hungry. You will collect money from government say una wan bring relief material una go bring rice beans garri, the people of Benue are not starving, food is not their problem, insecurity is,” he said.

He proposed that financial support should only be solicited if community leaders set up vigilante groups and receive approval from the Inspector General of Police to bear arms.

“If the community leaders of its local government can come out, set up a vigilante, write to the inspector general of police that they need arms, if the inspector general of police approves of arms, we go put account number online tell every Nigerian even if na 5 Naira contribute.

“This isn’t the time to talk and keep quiet, it is beyond that, everybody needs to play their part.”

News

VIDEO: Wike Promises Pay Rise After Band Sings In Chinese At Road Unveiling

Published

3 hours ago

June 20, 2025

Editor

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Thursday left many Nigerians amused after he publicly promised to increase the wages of his official music band during a project commissioning in Abuja.

Wike made the announcement while commissioning the newly completed collector road from Mabushi to the Judges’ Quarters in Katampe, a project executed by a Chinese construction firm.

Midway into the event, the band’s lead singer entertained the crowd with a hilarious twist, mimicking a song in what appeared to be ‘Chinese’, in a nod to the nationality of the contractors.

Impressed by their performance, the Minister announced that he would increase their wages.

“Now that the musician can sing in Chinese language, his fee will be increased,” the minister said, drawing laughter and applause from the crowd.

Shortly after his statement, the band broke into another tune, chanting, Agreement is agreement ooo, “Agreement is agreement ooo, Nysome Wike don talk am, Chinese people go see, Agreement is agreement ooo,” before ending with the phrase “Chi hu chan.”

https://twitter.com/i/status/1936079174038331767https://twitter.com/i/status/1936079174038331767

News

Anambra Directs Residents To Repaint Houses

Published

7 hours ago

June 20, 2025

Editor

The Anambra State Government has directed residents and occupants of dilapidated buildings defacing the environment in public view areas across the state to repaint their structures, adding that regulators will be embarking on field operations to enforce compliance beginning from July 1.

In a press statement released on Thursday, the state Commissioner for Environment, Dr Felix Odimegwu, said repainting of buildings with particular emphasis in Onitsha, Awka, Nkpor, Nnewi and Ekwuluobia areas, respectively, will commence with immediate effect with the aim of achieving a clean, beautiful and eco-friendly environment.

Odimegwu said concerned residents and corporate organisations in the areas mentioned are required to repaint their houses/buildings, especially those that have not been repainted in the last 10 years or buildings whose current paint is defacing the environment.

He said the exercise is aimed at strengthening the existing building structures, improving the aesthetic ambience, and the green space of the state as enshrined in the Anambra State Environmental Management, Protection and Administration Law 2024, Part 4 sec 79 (1-7).

The statement partly read, “Notice is hereby given to all residents and occupants of buildings which are in public view areas of the state with particular emphasis on Onitsha, Awka, Nkpor, Nnewil and Ekwuluobia respectively, that general house hold inspection on dilapidated and unpainted structures defacing the environment shall commence with immediate effect.

“This exercise is aimed at strengthening the existing building structures, improving the aesthetic ambience, and the green space of the state as enshrined in the Anambra State Environmental Management, Protection and Administration Law 2024, Part 4 sec 79 (1-7).

“Hence, residents are enjoined to fully maintain, repaint (if necessary) their residential and commercial premises which are in public view (anyaora) areas.”

He added that the Anambra State Environmental Management Protection and Administration Law 2024 provides the legal framework for beautification and aesthetic face-lifting of the state.

“Regulators will be embarking on field operations starting from July 1, 2025, for this particular purpose. Therefore, concerned individuals and corporate organisations within the purview as stated above are required to repaint their houses/buildings, especially those that have not been repainted in the last 10 years or buildings whose current paint is defacing the environment.

“A clean, beautiful and eco-friendly Anambra is possible if we join hands together to improve her aesthetic ambience,” the statement added.