Airtel Nigeria, the country’s second-largest telecom operator, has revised its data pricing structure, implementing a tariff adjustment of up to 50%. The changes, which affect various data bundles, were detailed on the company’s website on Monday.
Although Airtel has not issued an official statement, the price revisions come as part of a broader trend among telecom operators seeking to adjust tariffs in response to rising operational costs, inflation, and foreign exchange volatility.
A senior Airtel official confirmed the price increase to journalists, clarifying that while the revision does involve price hikes, it does not necessarily reach 50%. The official emphasized that the adjustment was driven by escalating costs in the industry.
In addition to the data price hikes, Airtel, which boasts over 56 million subscribers, also increased its voice call tariffs over the weekend. The revised daily and weekly data plans now include offerings such as N50 for 40MB valid for 1 day, N100 for 100MB valid for 1 day, and N1500 for 5GB valid for 7 days, among others.
Despite the hikes, Airtel reassured its customers by emphasizing its commitment to affordability and reliable service, 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.” Customers can access the plans by dialing *312#.
In line with industry trends, MTN, Nigeria’s largest telecom provider, also adjusted its data and call tariffs last week, following approval from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). Like Airtel, MTN’s pricing increases reflect the pressures of inflation, currency fluctuations, and rising network expansion costs.
The adjustments from both telecom giants signal growing challenges in the industry, and while they aim to improve long-term service sustainability, they are likely to put additional financial strain on consumers.
