Nigerians Voice Frustration as Telecom Tariffs Rise Amid Service Challenges

Nigerians grapple with rising costs across various sectors, the telecommunications industry, has not been spared. A recent hike in telecom tariffs has forced many citizens to cut back on calls and data usage, with some attributing the increase to heightened taxation and perceived regulatory shortcomings.

Compared to 2020, when telecom services were considered more affordable, 2025 has seen a sharp surge in tariff rates — rising by as much as 80% in some cases. This escalation has led to public outcry, with some users describing the hike as exploitative and blaming the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for not doing enough to protect consumers.

On January 20, 2025, the NCC approved a 50% tariff adjustment for telecom operators, citing growing operational costs in the sector. However, the commission clarified that this adjustment does not mandate an immediate increase; rather, operators are allowed to raise tariffs if they find current rates unsustainable.

Despite this clarification, major network providers — including MTN, Airtel, GLO, and 9mobile (formerly Etisalat) — implemented increases in pricing by fiat. However, many users reported that service quality has not improved in line with the higher costs. The MTN weekly, monthly subscription differs among the various service providers, which include Airtel, same as Glo and 9mobile.

National Daily survey conducted among telecom subscribers reflected mixed experiences. Some subscribers complained of minimal or no improvement in service delivery, while others still encounter network glitches. Although, a few remain loyal to their preferred providers, majority subscribers expressed dissatisfaction and are calling on the NCC to intervene.

As consumers adjust to these changes, the question remains: Will the increase in tariffs lead to meaningful improvement in network quality, or will Nigerians continue to pay more for the same level of service?

Kingsley, an MTN user, shared his thoughts:

“MTN is okay in terms of network — I experience fewer dropped calls and no major network issues. However, it’s becoming less affordable.

“The tariff increase has affected ordinary users like me. I believe the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) should step in and reduce the rates. I’m not satisfied. The current pricing negatively impacts my ability to use telecom services efficiently. The increase is not justified because it doesn’t reflect in service improvement. I’d really like to see the tariffs reduced to enable more affordable and accessible telecom usage. I still prefer using MTN”

Victory, another MTN subscriber, echoed similar sentiments:

“I currently use MTN, and the service has been just fair. But the tariff increase has affected me badly. I make fewer calls now and spend less time online because data is too expensive. Even after the price hike, I still experience glitches — the quality hasn’t improved. It’s been more of a burden than a benefit. NCC should act to reduce these high rates and improve service quality. I’m not impressed at all; the service is poor for what we’re paying. It’s not justified — the cost does not match the service delivery. If the rates can’t be reduced, the quality should at least match the price. For now, I’ve switched to GLO, though they also have their own issues sometimes.”

According to Judith: “I currently use both MTN and Airtel; the service has been relatively fair, but the recent increase in tariffs has significantly affected how I subscribe to data and make calls. These days, spending ₦3,000 on data is no longer sufficient, unlike before. Because of that, I’ve had to cut down on both my data subscriptions and call time.

“Network issues have also worsened. There are days when I can’t even access my data for a full day, which leaves me completely disconnected from what’s happening in the world. What’s most frustrating is that despite the tariff increase, the quality of service hasn’t improved.

“The cost of making calls has become too high for many people, including myself. I’m actually considering switching from MTN to Airtel, or possibly GLO, in search of a more affordable plan.

“I believe the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) needs to step in and address these issues. They should consider reducing the tariffs being charged. Right now, it feels like a form of extortion, especially for those who struggle to afford basic data or call credit. For now, I’ll continue using Airtel, but I really hope things change soon.”

Also, Damilare, who uses the GLO network, said he has not been significantly affected by the changes due to his limited use of voice calls. However, he noted that both data and call services remain unchanged in quality despite the increase in tariffs.

“I currently use GLO. The service delivery is fine, and I don’t make many calls, so the increase hasn’t affected me much,” he explained.

“But there has been no noticeable improvement in either data or call quality. The service remains the same,” he said.

He also expressed skepticism about the role of regulatory authorities, questioning whether the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) could effectively address the issue.

“I doubt the NCC can do anything about the tariff hike,” Damilare stated.

“There is no justification for the increase because the benefits do not outweigh the additional cost. If there had been better service or improved data plans, it might be different,” Damilare added.

Despite his concerns, Damilare said he does not plan to switch to another network, citing a lack of significant difference in service quality among providers.

“Even with the tariff increase, I still prefer using the GLO network,” he said.

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The recent surge in tariffs by telecom operators has sparked public debate, with many subscribers demanding improved services in return for higher charges.

Tolulope: I make use of Airtel services, and I’ve found them to be excellent in service delivery.

According to Tolulope, “Despite the tariff hike, I still make my calls regularly. There are occasional network issues, but they’re usually resolved quickly when I contact customer care.”

While he acknowledged the tariff increase, he believes it may have led to slight service improvements. Maybe it has improved quality a little, but not significantly.

“I don’t plan on switching providers. I think the NCC should ensure tariffs don’t rise any further, so the service quality can remain consistent or improve,” he said.

He also offered a broader view on the economic implications. “The benefits of telecom services still outweigh the rising costs. These companies are running businesses, and I doubt they’re operating at a loss. In some ways, the increase is justified — especially if government taxation can help provide public amenities.

A mobile network user, Ifeanyi, has complained of his dissatisfaction with the recent price increase by MTN, one of Nigeria’s leading telecom providers. While acknowledging that MTN has generally provided good service, Ifeanyi said the recent tariff hike has had a significant impact.

“The increase has affected me a lot.

“Even after the increase, I still experience network problems, both in calls and data. Like I said, it has not improved in quality despite the higher cost,” he complained.

When asked if the tariff hike has made the service less affordable, Ifeanyi responded firmly, “No, it can’t make it less affordable.” However, he revealed he is now considering switching to another telecommunications provider due to the persistent network issues.

ERIC narrated: “I am currently using Glo services, but the service delivery has been very unstable. I no longer make calls as frequently as I used to, and my data usage has significantly decreased. Despite the recent tariff increase, there has been no noticeable improvement in service quality. In fact, the service has become less affordable.

“I am currently in the process of switching plans. I believe the NCC should consider reducing tariffs or adjusting data packages to make them more feasible and accessible to the average user. I am not satisfied with the increased tariffs. When costs become too high—regardless of the value promised—customers naturally migrate to better alternatives. The price hike is not justified.

“Although I still use Glo, I am planning to switch to Airtel for a more affordable and reliable service.”