Airtel Nigeria, the country’s second-largest telecommunications provider, has increased the prices of its internet and voice plans by 50%, just a week after MTN Nigeria implemented a similar hike.
Under the revised pricing, Airtel’s most affordable monthly data plan now offers 2GB for ₦1,500, replacing the previous 1.2GB for ₦1,000 option. Other plans have also been adjusted: 3GB now costs ₦2,000 (previously 1.5GB for ₦1,200), 4GB is ₦2,500 (formerly 3GB for ₦1,500), and 8GB now goes for ₦3,000 (up from 4.5GB at ₦2,000).
For users requiring larger data bundles, the 10GB plan is now ₦4,000, previously 6GB for ₦2,500, 13GB costs ₦5,000 (up from 10GB at ₦3,000), 18GB is priced at ₦6,000, formerly 15GB for ₦4,000, while the 25GB plan now costs ₦8,000, replacing the old 18GB plan that was ₦5,000.
This price adjustment aligns with a broader industry trend, following the Nigerian Communications Commission’s approval of a 50% tariff increase on January 20, 2025.
When MTN Nigeria first introduced the hike, public backlash followed, particularly as some plans exceeded the 50% threshold. MTN later defended the move, stating that it was simply removing subsidies from special plans and remained within the NCC’s approval limit.
The company eventually issued an apology to its customers.
For voice tariffs, Airtel Nigeria has introduced a flat rate of 25 kobo per second for calls, translating to about ₦15 per minute, up from the previous ₦11 per minute.
However, the increase does not apply to all packages, as many daily and weekly plans remain unchanged.
Subscribers can still purchase the one-week 5GB plan for ₦1,500, while Airtel’s Unlimited Plans, such as ₦20,000 for 200GB (plus an extra 10GB daily after the main data is exhausted) and ₦30,000 for 300GB, continue to be available.
