MTN apologises, reverses 200% tariff hike after backlash from customers

MTN Nigeria, the country’s largest telecommunications provider, has today reversed a contentious 200% tariff hike on its 15GB data plan following significant backlash and a direct threat of action from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC). The decision marks a significant victory for consumer rights.

MTN implemented the tariff increase on Tuesday, which saw the price of its popular 15GB data bundle jump from N2,000 to N6,000, far exceeding the 50% increase recently approved by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). This move sparked an immediate outcry among users, many of whom took to social media platforms to voice their frustration and disbelief.

The situation escalated when the NLC, in a meeting held in Lokoja on Tuesday, issued a statement denouncing the price hike as “arbitrary” and “insensitive” to the financial struggles of the average Nigerian. Joe Ajaero, the NLC’s President, declared that starting from Thursday, February 13, Nigerian workers and the public would engage in a daily boycott of MTN, Airtel, and Glo services between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM until the end of February 2025, unless the tariff was reverted.

This strategy of protest was part of a broader pushback against what many perceive as exploitative practices by telecom companies at a time when economic conditions are already challenging for many citizens. With inflation rates soaring and the cost of living at an all-time high, the tariff hike was seen not just as an increase in service fees but as an assault on the economic well-being of millions who are living below the poverty line.

Reacting swiftly to the mounting pressure, MTN Nigeria issued a statement through its official X account on Thursday, apologizing for the tariff increase and admitting it was a “mistake.”. 

The company, which used a colloquial tone to acknowledge the public frustration, said, “To our 15G digital bundle lovers, you dey vex. We know. We know how upsetting it must have been to suddenly wake up to a 200 percent increase on your favourite digital bundle.”

It described the hike as a “cast” and urged customers to “forgive and forget” in the spirit of the love season, referencing the St. Valentine’s season.

MTN subscribers react to apology and reversal

MTN’s reversal of the tariff has been met with mixed reactions. Many subscribers expressed relief and gratitude for the rollback, viewing it as a testament to the power of collective action. Posts on X and other social media platforms have been filled with comments applauding the NLC’s role in mobilizing public sentiment against the hike.

However, there remains scepticism about the sincerity of MTN’s apology and concerns about future price adjustments.

For MTN, this episode serves as a learning curve. The company will likely need to engage more transparently with stakeholders, including the NCC, consumer associations, and the public, to avoid similar controversies. The Nigerian Communications Commission has yet to comment on the situation, but there is a growing call for stronger regulatory oversight to prevent such unilateral decisions by telecom companies.

As the dust settles, the focus shifts to how telecom services in Nigeria will evolve. Will this be a moment of recalibration for providers, leading to more consumer-friendly policies, or merely a temporary setback? Only time will tell, but for now, MTN Nigeria’s subscribers can breathe a sigh of relief as the tariff returns to a more manageable figure, thanks to the public outcry.