MTN Nigeria executives have defended the company’s data pricing and consumption practices during a public forum, while promising a new real-time data tracking portal to improve transparency for subscribers.
MTN Nigeria has responded to growing concerns over data pricing, consumption rates, and service transparency, with senior executives defending the company’s practices during a public engagement event aimed at addressing subscriber complaints.
The forum, tagged “Data on Trial,” was held on June 6 and brought together telecommunications executives, customers, industry stakeholders, and members of the public to discuss some of the most contentious issues surrounding mobile data usage in Nigeria.
Leading the discussion was MTN Nigeria Chief Executive Officer Karl Toriola, who sought to explain why many subscribers believe their data bundles are depleting faster than expected and why truly unlimited mobile data plans remain uncommon across the world.
According to Toriola, the idea of unlimited data without restrictions is largely unrealistic in most telecommunications markets due to the enormous infrastructure costs required to support such services. He explained that network operators must balance affordability, network quality, and increasing consumer demand for data-intensive applications.
The MTN chief noted that data consumption habits have evolved significantly in recent years, with more users relying on high-definition video streaming, cloud storage, online gaming, video conferencing, and hotspot sharing across multiple devices.
“These activities consume large volumes of data much faster than many customers realize,” company representatives explained during the event.
MTN executives argued that what many subscribers perceive as unusually rapid data depletion is often linked to changing digital behavior rather than inaccurate billing systems or hidden charges.
The company also highlighted Nigeria’s relatively low nominal mobile data costs compared to several countries around the world. According to figures presented at the forum, 1GB of data in Nigeria costs approximately $0.39, placing the country among markets with comparatively affordable mobile internet access.
However, many participants challenged the company’s position, arguing that comparisons based solely on dollar-denominated prices do not adequately reflect the realities of income levels and purchasing power among Nigerian consumers.
Several attendees cited examples from countries where unlimited or significantly larger data packages are available at prices that represent a smaller percentage of average monthly earnings. Critics argued that affordability should be measured relative to income rather than nominal pricing alone.
The debate comes amid heightened public scrutiny following recent adjustments to data tariffs across the telecommunications sector. Many subscribers have expressed frustration over increases in the cost of popular data bundles.
One of the examples frequently mentioned during the discussion was a data package that reportedly rose from approximately ₦2,000 for 15GB to around ₦6,000, triggering concerns about the impact of rising telecom costs on households, students, entrepreneurs, and remote workers who rely heavily on internet connectivity.
Customers at the forum also raised questions about network quality, service reliability, and transparency in data consumption monitoring. Many users claimed they often struggle to understand how their data is utilized across devices and applications.
In response to these concerns, MTN announced plans to introduce a public-facing portal that will allow subscribers to monitor their data usage in real time. The proposed platform is expected to provide detailed insights into consumption patterns, helping users identify which applications or activities are consuming the largest share of their data allocations.
The company said the initiative is part of broader efforts to improve transparency and build trust with customers amid increasing demand for digital services.
Industry analysts say the debate reflects a larger conversation taking place across Nigeria’s telecommunications sector as operators seek to expand network capacity while managing rising operational costs, currency pressures, and growing consumer expectations.
Nigeria’s digital economy has expanded rapidly over the past decade, driving unprecedented demand for internet connectivity across education, business, entertainment, financial services, and social communication.
As data consumption continues to rise, telecom operators face mounting pressure to provide affordable, high-quality services while investing heavily in network infrastructure.
While MTN’s explanations may have addressed some concerns, discussions around data affordability, pricing transparency, and service quality are likely to continue. For millions of Nigerian subscribers, the promised real-time tracking portal could become an important tool for understanding usage patterns and ensuring greater accountability in one of the country’s most competitive industries.
