Airtel Nigeria, the second-largest telecommunications operator in the country, has announced a significant increase in the prices of its internet and voice plans, raising them by 50%. This decision comes just one week after a similar price hike was implemented by MTN Nigeria.
Under the new pricing structure, Airtel’s most affordable monthly data plan now offers 2GB for ₦1,500, replacing the previous 1.2GB plan that was priced at ₦1,000. Other notable changes include the following:
- A 3GB plan is now available for ₦2,000, up from the previous 1.5GB plan priced at ₦1,200.
- The 4GB plan has increased to ₦2,500, which was previously 3GB for ₦1,500.
- An 8GB plan now costs ₦3,000, a rise from the former 4.5GB plan that was priced at ₦2,000.
Larger data plans have also seen adjustments in their pricing. The 10GB plan is now priced at ₦4,000, up from the previous 6GB plan that cost ₦2,500. Additionally, the 13GB plan is now available for ₦5,000, an increase from the earlier 10GB plan priced at ₦3,000. The 18GB plan has risen to ₦6,000, previously offered at ₦4,000 for 15GB, and the 25GB plan is now priced at ₦8,000, replacing the former 18GB plan that cost ₦5,000.
This price adjustment is part of a broader trend among telecommunications companies in Nigeria, following the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) approval of a 50% tariff increase on January 20, 2025. MTN Nigeria was the first to implement this increase, which led to public backlash after the company adjusted three of its data plans by more than 50%. While MTN Nigeria defended its actions by stating that the increase did not exceed the NCC-approved target and was simply a removal of subsidies from its special plans, the company later issued an apology to its subscribers.
In addition to the data plan adjustments, Airtel Nigeria has introduced a flat rate of 25 kobo per second for calls, according to a company representative. As a result, a one-minute call on the network now costs approximately ₦15, an increase from the previous rate of ₦11. However, this tariff increase has not been reflected in many of the daily and weekly plans, as subscribers can still purchase the one-week 5GB plan for ₦1,500.
Airtel’s Unlimited plans remain unchanged, with options such as ₦20,000 for 200GB over 30 days, which includes an additional 10GB daily once the main data is exhausted, and ₦30,000 for 300GB over 30 days still available for customers.
