The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Joint Campus Committee (JCC) has set the stage for a mass protest against telecom giant MTN Nigeria. The demonstration, scheduled to take place at MTN’s corporate headquarters in Lagos, is in response to the company’s controversial decision to hike its data tariffs, leaving many students frustrated and outraged.
The uproar surrounding MTN’s pricing decisions began when the company announced a dramatic increase in its 15GB weekly data plan. Originally priced at N2,000, the plan’s cost surged to N6,000 — a staggering 200% hike. The move triggered widespread discontent across Nigeria, particularly among students who rely heavily on affordable data for online learning, research, and communication.
While MTN initially responded to public outcry by promising to reverse the hike, students insist that the company’s actions were deceptive. Instead of reverting to the original pricing structure, MTN replaced the 15GB weekly data bundle with a new 7GB plan priced at N3,000. This adjustment, students argue, is not a reversal but a further exploitation of the masses.
Abdul-Raheem Abdul-Quadri, Chairman of NANS JCC Lagos, expressed his disappointment with MTN’s handling of the situation. He said, “MTN’s so-called ‘reversal’ is a slap in the face of students and Nigerians. They have not only failed to reduce the price, but they have also slashed the data volume by more than half. How is this supposed to help us? This is not a relief; it is an insult.”
NANS JCC Lagos wasted no time in taking action, announcing that they would stage a massive protest outside MTN Nigeria’s headquarters. In a strongly worded statement, the students vowed to continue their fight until MTN fully reverts the tariff hike and introduces more affordable options for students. “We refuse to be silenced,” the statement declared. “If MTN and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) refuse to act, we will continue to mobilize across campuses and the streets until our voices are heard.”
The Impact of the Tariff Hike on Students and Education
The tariff increase has further complicated an already challenging situation for students in Nigeria. With the ongoing digital divide and escalating costs of living, many young people who depend on the internet for their education have found the new prices unaffordable. For countless students, affordable internet access is not just a luxury; it is a lifeline for research, assignments, communication, and staying connected with the world.
“Education in the 21st century is not just about textbooks. It’s about having access to online resources, e-learning platforms, and the ability to connect with peers and lecturers,” said Ridwan Ajayi, Public Relations Officer of NANS JCC Lagos. “MTN’s actions make it harder for students to succeed. The digital divide is already real, and this hike makes it worse. Many students won’t be able to afford the new plans.”
NANS has also expressed its concerns that the tariff hikes are part of a broader, disturbing trend of telecom operators hiking prices without proper regulation. The student body has called for both the federal government and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to intervene.
“We demand that the NCC step in and regulate pricing so that Nigerians are not subjected to these unjust and exploitative increases,” Ajayi added. “This isn’t just a problem for students, but for all Nigerians who rely on affordable data plans to go about their daily lives.”
MTN’s Response: A Discontinuation of the Plan
In response to the mounting pressure from students and the broader Nigerian public, MTN Nigeria has stated that the 15GB weekly data plan is no longer available in its current offerings. Funso Aina, Senior Manager of External Relations at MTN Nigeria, explained, “The plan in question has been discontinued. It is no longer available in our bouquet of services. We have several other options available for customers to choose from, all within the approved framework.”
However, this explanation has done little to appease the anger of students, who argue that MTN’s new offerings do not address the core issue: exorbitant prices for data plans that are essential to their academic success.
“We are not fooled by MTN’s response,” Abdul-Quadri said. “They think by discontinuing the plan, they can wash their hands of the issue. But the reality is that they are still charging higher prices for much less data. Students are being forced to make a choice: either they pay more for less, or they are left behind.”
