Airtel Revises Data Plans Amid Rising Costs

On Feb 18, 2025

Airtel Nigeria has announced a revision to its data pricing structure to address the company’s increasing operational costs. The new data plans, now available on Airtel’s website, include daily, weekly, and monthly changes.

Updated Daily Plans:
– N50 for 40MB (valid for 1 day)
– N100 for 100MB (valid for 1 day)
– N200 for 200MB (valid for 3 days)
– N350 for 1GB (valid for 1 day)

Updated Weekly Plans:
– N350 for 350MB (valid for 7 days)
– N500 for 750MB plus 1GB YouTube Night and 200MB YouTube Music/Spotify (valid for 7 days)
– N500 for 1GB plus 1GB YouTube Night and 50MB Socials (valid for 7 days)
– **N500 for 2GB (valid for 2 days)

Updated Monthly Plans:
– N2,000 for 3GB (previously 1.5GB for N1,200)
– N2,500 for 4GB (previously 3GB for N1,500)
– N3,000 for 8GB (previously 4.5GB for N2,000)
– N4,000 for 10GB (previously 6GB for N2,500)
– N5,000 for 13GB (previously 10GB for N3,000)
– N6,000 for 18GB (previously 15GB for N4,000)
– N8,000 for 25GB (previously 18GB for N5,000)

Additionally, Airtel’s call rates have increased to 25 kobo per second from the previous 18 kobo per second. Despite the adjustments, some tariff plans remain unchanged, such as the 5GB plan for N1,500 per week.

Public Reaction

The price hike has sparked reactions from subscribers on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter).

Okikiola (@okikiola_Ayoade) expressed frustration, saying, “Return our data bundles e no easy to dey get money, you people dey inconvenience us, data from 3000 for 20GB is now 3000 for 10GB…”

Jessy Paul (@Firstjessy) questioned the discontinuation of previous data offers: “The only reason I was using Airtel was because their plans were reasonable. Can you change it back or should I switch networks?”

Another subscriber, ShadeFX D BoiCrypt (@ShadeFx__), criticized the hike, stating, “Life is already hard and you decided to add more to it by being heartless… This is Evil.”

Airtel’s Apology and NCC’s Approval

In response to the backlash, Airtel issued an apology on its X page, stating, “We extend our sincere understanding regarding your concerns, and wish to apprise you that comprehensive revisions have been effectuated across our voice and data plans.”

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has approved a maximum tariff increment of 50 percent, citing the need for sustainability in the telecommunications industry.

This decision, made under Section 108 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003 (NCA), followed extensive consultations with key stakeholders in both the public and private sectors.

Subscribers can view the revised data prices via the *312# code or on Airtel’s website.

NAN/Chidimma Gold