Airtel Nigeria just did something that got a lot of people talking. They raised their data and call prices, only to reverse some of the changes shortly after. If you’re wondering what’s behind all this back-and-forth, here’s what you need to know.
The Price Hike
On Monday, Airtel Nigeria, the country’s second-largest telecom operator, quietly updated its website with revised data and call tariffs. The new pricing affected several data bundles, and voice call rates jumped from about 18 kobo per second to 25 kobo per second.
The reason? Rising operational costs, inflation, and forex fluctuations. With over 56 million subscribers, Airtel, like other telecom operators, has been feeling the pressure of Nigeria’s economic challenges. A senior company official clarified that the increase was “not up to 50%,” though many users still felt the pinch.
Revised Data Plans
Daily & Weekly Plans
- N50 for 40MB (1 day)
- N100 for 100MB (1 day)
- N200 for 200MB (3 days)
- N350 for 1GB (1 day)
For daily plan dial *312*2*1# and select your preferred plan
- N350 for 350MB (7 days)
- N500 for 1GB + 1GB YouTube Night (7 days)
- N1500 for 5GB (7 days)
For weekly plan dial *312*2*3# and select your preferred plan
Monthly Plans
- 2GB for N1,500 (replacing the old 1.2GB for N1,000)
- 3GB for N2,000 (formerly 1.5GB at N1,200)
- 4GB for N2,500 (formerly 3GB at N1,500)
- 8GB for N3,000 (formerly 4.5GB at N2,000)
- 10GB for N4,000 (formerly 6GB at N2,500)
- 13GB for N5,000 (from 10GB at N3,000)
- 18GB for N6,000 (formerly 15GB at N4,000)
- 25GB for N8,000 (replacing 18GB at N5,000)
For monthly plan dial *312*2*4# and select your preferred plan
According to Airtel, these changes were necessary to maintain service quality and continue investing in infrastructure and innovation.
The Backlash & Reversal
Unsurprisingly, the announcement didn’t sit well with customers. Many Nigerians, already struggling with the rising cost of living, took to social media to express their frustration. Some even considered switching networks. The backlash was strong enough that Airtel, like MTN before it, decided to reconsider.
While they haven’t completely reversed the hike, there have been adjustments to soften the impact. The company reassured users with the message: “Whatever your data needs are, we have a plan for you.”
What’s Next for Airtel Users?
Price hikes in telecom services aren’t new, and they likely won’t stop anytime soon. With inflation and forex instability continuing to affect businesses, telecom operators will keep looking for ways to balance costs. The real question is whether they can find a middle ground that keeps their services affordable while still making a profit.
For now, Airtel users will have to adapt to these new rates—or start shopping for alternatives. But if history is anything to go by, public pressure might just keep these telecom giants on their toes.