Airtel Nigeria, the country’s second-largest telecom operator, has raised its internet and voice tariffs by 50%, following a similar move by MTN Nigeria last week.
New Airtel Data Pricing
With the adjustment, Airtel’s cheapest monthly data plan is now:
- 2GB for ₦1,500 (previously 1.2GB for ₦1,000)
- 3GB for ₦2,000 (up from 1.5GB at ₦1,200)
- 4GB for ₦2,500 (previously 3GB at ₦1,500)
- 8GB for ₦3,000 (up from 4.5GB at ₦2,000)
- 10GB for ₦4,000 (previously 6GB at ₦2,500)
- 13GB for ₦5,000 (up from 10GB at ₦3,000)
- 18GB for ₦6,000 (previously 15GB at ₦4,000)
- 25GB for ₦8,000 (replacing the former 18GB plan at ₦5,000)
New Call Rates
Airtel has also adjusted its voice tariffs, implementing a flat rate of 25 kobo per second for calls.
- One-minute calls now cost around ₦15, up from ₦11 previously.
However, some daily and weekly plans remain unchanged. Subscribers can still buy:
- One-week 5GB plan for ₦1,500
- Airtel Unlimited Plans such as ₦20,000 for 200GB (30 days) and ₦30,000 for 300GB (30 days) + 10GB daily after exhausting the main data.
Why the Price Hike?
The adjustments follow the Nigerian Communications Commission’s (NCC) approval of a 50% tariff increase on January 20, 2025. MTN Nigeria was the first to implement the price hike but faced public backlash, as some plans saw increases beyond the approved 50%. The telco later issued a formal apology to subscribers.
What’s Next?
With Airtel joining MTN in raising tariffs, other telecom operators like Globacom and 9mobile are likely to follow suit in the coming weeks. The tariff increase reflects rising operational costs, inflation, and naira devaluation, all of which have affected telecom providers’ profitability.