MTN Nigeria has defended the recent increase in telecommunications tariffs, saying the adjustment was necessary to keep the company and the broader telecoms industry financially sustainable.
The telecommunications giant disclosed that it invested about N900 billion in network expansion and maintenance in 2025 and plans to exceed N1 trillion in infrastructure spending this year.
Speaking during a stakeholder engagement programme tagged “Data on Trial” in Lagos, MTN Nigeria Chief Executive Officer, Karl Toriola, said the tariff review became unavoidable as operators faced mounting operational costs and financial pressure.
According to him, the company was struggling to meet critical obligations before the adjustment was approved.
“The tariff increase was introduced to ensure the survival of the industry. At that period, we were facing serious financial difficulties and were unable to comfortably meet essential operational expenses,” Toriola said.
He explained that rising costs associated with powering network facilities, paying rent and maintaining software licences placed significant strain on the company’s finances.
Toriola noted that MTN’s financial position had deteriorated to the point where continued network operations were at risk.
“From a financial standpoint, we were operating under extremely difficult conditions. The tariff review became necessary to stabilise the business and create room for continued investment in network infrastructure,” he added.
The MTN boss revealed that the company invested N900 billion in network development in 2025 and intends to spend more than N1 trillion in 2026 to improve service delivery and expand coverage.
“We continue to channel substantial resources into maintaining and expanding our network. This year, our investment will exceed one trillion naira as we work to improve customer experience and meet growing demand,” he said.
Toriola also attributed some network service disruptions to vandalism, insecurity and interference at telecommunications sites across the country.
He lamented that damage to telecom infrastructure often affects thousands of subscribers and disrupts services in entire communities.
Despite these challenges, he maintained that MTN remains committed to providing quality services comparable with international standards.
“I am proud of the quality of service we provide, and we will continue investing in infrastructure to improve connectivity for our customers,” he stated.
Addressing concerns over data pricing, Toriola argued that unlimited data offerings are difficult to sustain due to the enormous infrastructure requirements needed to support growing internet demand.
He further maintained that data services in Nigeria remain relatively affordable when compared with several other countries.
Meanwhile, MTN’s Chief Customer Relations and Experience Officer, Ugonwa Nwonye, said the engagement was organised to educate subscribers on how data is consumed and help them better manage their usage.
She explained that video-streaming applications, automatic backups and device settings often contribute to faster data depletion.
“We are introducing digital tools, including a personalised data dashboard and data calculator, to help customers understand how their data is being used across different applications,” Nwonye said.
She disclosed that the tools would become available to subscribers before the end of the month and that the awareness campaign would be extended nationwide over the next six months.
Also speaking, MTN’s Chief Marketing Officer, Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, said the initiative was designed to improve transparency and address long-standing concerns about data consumption and expiry.
“Our goal is to provide customers with greater clarity and understanding of how data usage works and the factors that influence consumption,” she said.
Ikenna-Emeka noted that MTN currently serves more than 87 million subscribers across Nigeria and remains committed to strengthening customer engagement.
One of the participants at the event, content creator Yemisi Odusanya, popularly known as Sisi Yemmie, admitted that she attended the session with concerns about rapid data depletion.
“I came here frustrated because I felt data subscriptions were finishing too quickly.
However, after listening to the explanations and seeing how multiple applications consume data in the background, I now have a better understanding of what happens,” she said.
The stakeholder engagement also featured interactions between MTN officials, regulators, content creators and subscribers, with discussions focusing on data usage, pricing, transparency and customer experience.
