Airtel Nigeria has implemented a 50% tariff hike, following the approval of the Federal Government, making it the second telecom operator, after MTN Nigeria, to adopt the new pricing regime. The tariff changes include adjustments to Airtel’s data plans, with the 1.2GB for N1,000 plan now replaced by 2GB for N1,500, and other data bundles seeing similar increases. Additionally, Airtel raised its call rates to 25 kobo per second, up from approximately 18 kobo per second.
The price increases are part of a strategy aimed at enabling telecom operators to continue investing in infrastructure, which the companies argue will lead to improved services, connectivity, network quality, and customer service. However, the tariff hike has faced significant backlash from consumer advocacy groups, trade unions, and the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), who have called for protests and boycotts if the price changes are not reversed by March 1, 2025.
The Cloud Network Foundation (CNF), a Nigerian NGO, has urged the government to reconsider the hike, citing concerns over the economic and social impact on the citizens, particularly during a time of high inflation. CNF Chairman Abimbola Tooki described the tariff adjustment as “insensitive and exploitative,” warning that it could exacerbate Nigeria’s economic challenges. He emphasized that affordable telecom services have been crucial for national development and social mobility, and a sudden price increase could hinder access to these essential services, particularly for small business owners and low-income earners.
Tooki advocated for a more gradual approach to tariff adjustments, highlighting the need to balance the financial challenges faced by telecom operators with the economic realities of consumers.
