The Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria, Karl Toriola, has defended the cost of mobile data in the country, saying Nigeria remains one of the countries with the cheapest data rates globally despite a recent tariff increase.
Speaking at the MTN Data Trial conference in Lagos on Saturday, Toriola dismissed claims that telecommunications operators were overcharging customers, arguing that data prices in Nigeria compare favourably with those in other African countries and beyond.
“Look at the price at which we sell bundles of data. Then go and check in Kenya, Congo and other countries across the world, and tell me if data in Nigeria is not among the four cheapest in the world,” he said.
He added that while Ghana also offers relatively low-cost data services, Nigerian operators, including MTN Nigeria and its competitors, continue to provide some of the most affordable data packages globally, even after the recent tariff adjustment.
Telecommunications companies have faced criticism from subscribers over the rising cost of data and airtime following a tariff review approved by the Nigerian Communications Commission in January 2025.
The regulator authorised a 50 per cent increase in telecom tariffs, the first major adjustment since 2013, citing mounting operational costs and the need to sustain investment in network infrastructure and service delivery.
According to the commission, the approved increase was lower than the more than 100 per cent hike sought by some operators and was designed to ensure the long-term viability of the telecommunications sector.
The regulator argued that the adjustment would enable operators to continue investing in infrastructure, innovation and network expansion while improving service quality, customer experience and coverage.
The tariff increase, however, triggered criticism from consumers and labour groups already grappling with rising living costs.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) condemned the decision, describing it as insensitive and an additional burden on workers and ordinary Nigerians facing economic hardship.
Despite the backlash, telecom operators have maintained that higher tariffs are necessary to offset increasing operating expenses and support continued investment in the sector.
