Airtel Follows MTN in 50% Tariff Hike, Consumers Face Rising Costs

In a move that echoes MTN Nigeria’s recent decision, Airtel Nigeria has raised call and internet tariffs by 50%, marking a significant shift in the telecom sector. This follows the Nigerian Communications Commission’s (NCC) approval for an industry-wide price adjustment, signaling tough times ahead for consumers already grappling with economic challenges.

Under Airtel’s new pricing structure, the once-affordable 1.2GB plan for ₦1,000 has been replaced with 2GB for ₦1,500. Similarly, other plans have seen price increases, with 3GB now at ₦2,000 (formerly 1.5GB at ₦1,200) and 4GB now ₦2,500 (formerly 3GB at ₦1,500). The most substantial change comes at the higher tiers, where 25GB now costs ₦8,000, up from ₦5,000 for 18GB.

Call rates have also been affected, rising from 18 kobo per second to 25 kobo per second, though some tariff plans remain unchanged, such as the 5GB weekly plan for ₦1,500.

Airtel, like MTN, justifies this hike as necessary to sustain infrastructure investments and service quality. However, industry analysts warn that the move could reduce consumer usage and further strain household budgets. Bismarck Rewane, CEO of Financial Derivatives Company, highlights that while operators stand to gain, the increase could lead to decreased affordability for millions of Nigerians.

As telecom users navigate this new pricing regime, the broader question remains: Can service providers balance profitability with affordability in an already struggling economy?

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