Miracle Akubuo
As the cost of internet data continues to rise in Nigeria, students across the country are facing increasing challenges in accessing digital learning, and research.
In this report, Miracle Akubuo spoke with students of the Federal Polytechnic Offa, Kwara State, documenting how the uptick in the cost of mobile data subscription is taking a toll on their academics and interactivity.
Yetunde Ayo, a final-year student of the Federal Polytechnic Offa, Kwara State recounted how she has been without data for days due to its soaring costs, as this affected her studies and online interactions.
“I can’t stay online the way I used to. Before, I barely turned off my data. But now, I always stay offline to minimize my usage of data and save cost,” Yetunde said. She added that she spends over ₦2,000 on data just to attend online classes and submit assignments every week.
Another student, Ayomide Raji, a Mass Communication student in the same institution shared that the increment of telecommunications tariff compounded her daily expenses, claiming that she used nothing less than 4GB of data every day.
She mentioned that her phone, being an Apple product, consumes more data compared to other Android smartphones.
“It affects us badly and seriously; all the data plans are now expensive. Especially MTN which has a large rate of users. The government should look into price reduction,” she appealed.
This unexpected increase has cut many students away from online presence and other activities across schools in Nigeria. Students who are already bearing the brunt of the subsidy removal which has affected the price of school fees, other school and food items are now facing a dilemma with this recent hike in data subscription.
High cost of data and unstable network is a dangerous trend
Immediately President Bola Tinubu was sworn in as the new ruler of Nigeria, the reality of the country’s economy took a radical turn.
In recent months, Nigerians have witnessed a sharp and unexpected surge in mobile data subscriptions which has cast a dark shade on the lives of students, workers and even business sectors.
Telecom operators paid N2.4 trillion in taxes and levies to governments in 2023, also citing rising operational costs due to factors such as the devaluation of the naira and increased energy expenses. Initially, they sought a 100 per cent tariff hike but the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) capped the increase at 50 per cent, this still represents a substantial burden for many Nigerians, particularly those on lower incomes.
Despite the increase in this commodity, Nigerians have solicited for a reduction in the durability of mobile data unlike before when it was cheaper and affordable. According to Yetunde, the cost of data is not only high and unaffordable but the services are now unreliable and bundles vanish quickly.
She narrated that the 1.5GB data plan which was sold at the rate of N900 to N1,000 is now 2,000 or above depending on the network provider. She noted that MTN, the most used network provider in the nation, has the highest cost of data price.
Disconnected
Stella Adeleye, a 100-Level student from the Federal Polytechnic Offa Department of Library and Information Science Technology, said she missed important information such as test schedules, deadlines for assignments and presentations due to her absence online.
High cost of data subscription is forcing student out.
“It’s not easy. Sometimes, I will just get to school and notice I’ve missed a vital information on an assignment or workbook submission and I can’t go home back because of the distance”
As a student struggling with feeding and other school expenses, Stella usually debates either buying food or going for data. According to her, this financial inconvenience would have been averted if the telecommunications companies had not increased the prices of mobile data subscriptions.
Expert responds
Abimbola Tooki, the Chairman of Cloud Network Foundation (CNF), condemned the timing of the unexpected tariff adjustment, which came in a period where Nigeria is battling the all-time prices of everything, is significantly eroding the purchasing power of Nigerians.
“The sharp increase in telecom tariffs is being perceived as an attempt to further disempower the people, is killing while sharing in a recent conversation with a frontline media platform. “This move could inadvertently fuel civil society agitation, as it reinforces the narrative that the government is seeking to stifle the voice of the masses rather than empower them.” Tooki concluded
The telecoms expert emphasised that the Nigerian authorities must consider the economic realities faced by citizens before implementing policies that could further strain their finances.
Furthermore, he argued that it could deepen the economic challenges facing millions of telecom users across the country while describing the tariff hike as “insensitive and exploitative
#Miracle Akubo, a campus journalist, ‘fellow of Africa Foundation for Young Media Professionals’ 2025 campus journalism, ethics, safety, data driven media fellowship
