Fact Check: Why MTN CEO Insists Nigeria Has One of the World’s Cheapest Data Rates

It might feel like your data subscription finishes in the blink of an eye, but globally, Nigerians are actually getting a major bargain. According to MTN Nigeria CEO Karl Toriola, despite recent tariff hikes, Nigeria officially ranks among the top four cheapest countries in the world for mobile data. While frustrated consumers continue to push back against rising costs, telecom leaders argue that the numbers tell a completely different story. Are we really paying less, or is there a catch? Let’s dive into the data.

Toriola made the claim while responding to public criticism over rising data costs, noting that despite complaints from users, Nigeria’s pricing is still relatively low compared to many countries.

He urged critics to compare Nigeria’s data prices with those in countries such as Kenya, Congo, and others, maintaining that even after recent tariff adjustments, the country still ranks among the most affordable.

“Influencers and critics, look at the price at which we sell bundles of data. Then now take that price, go and check in Kenya, go and check in Congo, go and check across the world, and tell me if you are not going to tell me that data in Nigeria is one of the four cheapest in the world. Ghana is also very cheap, I acknowledge that,” he said.

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) earlier approved a 50% tariff increase for telecom operators in January 2025, marking the first major adjustment since 2013. The regulator said the review was lower than the over 100% requested by operators and was aimed at ensuring industry sustainability amid rising operational costs.

However, the decision faced strong backlash from Nigerians and groups such as the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), which described the hike as unfair and insensitive given the country’s economic hardship.

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