Airtel Nigeria has announced an increase in its data and call tariffs, citing rising operational costs as the primary reason for the adjustment. The new rates, which took effect on February 18, 2025, reflect changes in pricing for various data bundles and call rates.
The move comes after the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) approved a general tariff hike for telecom operators, following complaints of a sharp rise in operational expenses. Industry sources reveal that telecom companies have faced a 300% increase in costs over the past two years, driven by inflation, foreign exchange instability, and high energy prices.
Airtel has updated its pricing structure, with the daily data plan now offering 40MB for N50, while a weekly plan providing 750MB plus 1GB of YouTube Night costs N500. The revised tariff details have been published on Airtel’s official website.
A senior Airtel official confirmed the development, stating, “Yes, we have updated data prices today, and they are available on our website. However, the increase is not up to 50 percent.”
While the NCC has defended the decision, saying it followed extensive consultations with stakeholders, the price hike has sparked opposition. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has strongly rejected the increase, calling it “insensitive and unjustifiable.” The labor group has announced plans for a nationwide protest on February 4, urging the government to intervene and protect consumers from excessive charges.
As telecom operators adjust their pricing, customers are encouraged to review the updated tariffs to make informed decisions about their data and call usage.
