Amidst widespread outrage and backlash from Nigerians following the recent increase in tariff by MTN Nigeria, another major telecom operator, Airtel, has also implemented a similar price hike, further intensifying concerns within the Nigerian telecommunications market. Airtel, which is the country’s second-largest telecom provider, has revised its data pricing structure, introducing a tariff adjustment that could be as high as 50 percent for certain plans, leaving customers scrambling to adjust to the new rates.
The new pricing details were made available to the public through Airtel’s official website on Monday, signaling the company’s move to align with broader industry trends. The adjustment, which primarily affects various data bundles, comes amid growing concerns within the telecom sector about rising operational costs, a situation that has forced providers to make significant changes to their pricing strategies. This move by Airtel mirrors the recent tariff hikes announced by MTN, contributing to an atmosphere of frustration and dissatisfaction among many consumers who are now facing increased costs for essential communication services.
In addition to the changes in its data pricing, Airtel, which currently serves over 56 million subscribers across Nigeria, had also raised the cost of voice call tariffs over the weekend. This dual increase in both data and voice services has left many customers questioning the affordability of Airtel’s services, particularly as the country continues to deal with the economic impact of rising inflation and a challenging business environment. With the dual price hikes affecting both mobile data and voice calls, Airtel’s customers are now forced to re-evaluate their telecommunications options in a market that seems to be increasingly dominated by price increases across the board.
Despite the anger and frustration from consumers, Airtel has made efforts to assure its customers that the company remains committed to providing affordable services. In its revised price list, the company stated, “Whatever your data needs are, we have a plan for you. Our fast, affordable, and reliable internet experience will keep you connected anytime, anywhere.” To help customers navigate these changes, Airtel has directed users to dial *312# for assistance, signaling its intent to remain competitive and offer tailored solutions to meet diverse customer needs. However, despite this reassurance, the operator has yet to issue an official statement or detailed explanation addressing the rationale behind the tariff increase, leaving many customers skeptical about the company’s transparency and approach to managing the crisis.
As the situation unfolds, many consumers are left grappling with the sudden price changes and the growing frustration with telecom providers in Nigeria. While Airtel and MTN continue to assert their commitment to quality service, the reality for many Nigerians is that the increasing costs of communication may be an additional burden in an already challenging economic climate. Consumers now find themselves questioning how much further these price hikes will go and whether other providers will follow suit in the near future, deepening the sense of uncertainty in the telecommunications market.