In Nigeria, there is this running joke that goes thus “Data is life” and while it may sound amusing, there is indeed an uncomfortable truth behind it. In a world where social media connects families, fuels businesses and offers a daily escape from life’s harsh realities, the recent increase in data tariffs by network providers in Nigeria feels like a slap in the face. For many, especially those who rely on affordable data to get through the day, whether for work, education or to scroll through social media to watch funny videos, it is not just an inconvenience any longer. It is now a concern.
How did we get here?! That is a question everyone seems to be asking. In a country grappling with a high inflation rate on fuel which is now reducing somehow, stagnant wages, an increase in data prices is like adding salt to an already open injury of her citizens. For students attending online classes, entrepreneurs selling products through WhatsApp and Instagram outlets, or families staying in touch across distances, data is more than just megabytes, internet data is a bridge to the world.
The Social Lifeline at Risk
Imagine being cut off from friends and family because you can’t afford to renew your data bundle! This has been a reality for some since the hike, sadly. Social media platforms are not just for sharing selfies or jokes. They have become essential spaces for information, mental health support and even survival. Think of the many people who are seeking job opportunities on LinkedIn or those who follow breaking news on Twitter threads. When data costs more, people engage less (which is the likely result of what is happening). Hence, when people engage less, they tend to lose access to information that could change their lives.
In the statement of Tale Olalekan, an Akure-based ride-hailing driver I spoke with recently, “I use Google Maps and Uber every day,” he said. “Without data, I can’t work. This new price increase means I’ll have to spend more just to earn the same amount.” Stories like Olalekan’s are everywhere. Whether they are market women using WhatsApp to reach customers or graduates applying for jobs online, the cost of staying connected is affecting people’s ability to make ends meet.
Small Businesses, Big Problems
Nigeria prides itself on its entrepreneurial spirit. Walk through any street, you will see people selling everything from food to phone accessories who often promote their goods through social media platforms. But with this current hike in data prices, how will these small businesses thrive?
Ebunoluwa, a small business owner who sells handmade jewellery online and other clothing accessories, shared her frustration. “Instagram and Tiktok are my storefronts,” she said. “If I can’t afford to post regularly or reply to customers, I lose sales. This isn’t just about entertainment, this is my livelihood.”
It is a domino effect. When small businesses suffer, so does the economy. Nigeria’s unemployment rate is already alarmingly high. Making data less affordable only pushes more people into economic hardship.
Students Caught in the Crossfire
Students are not exempted from the impact of the hike in data prices. The hike is a cruel blow. Many universities have adopted digital learning since the COVID-19 pandemic, thereby making data access non-negotiable. But what happens when students can’t afford to attend virtual classes or download study materials? Education becomes a privilege rather than a right.
Eniola, a university student of Adekunle Ajasin, expressed her concerns. “Sometimes, I spend my last money on data just to attend lectures,” she said. “Now, with these new prices, I have to choose between eating and studying, if you are not active online, your mates may graduate at your back (She said jokingly). It’s unfair.”
How can we expect the next generation to succeed when they are priced out of education?
Mental Health: The Overlooked Impact
In a country where daily struggles are a norm, sometimes all people desire is a moment of relief. They choose to unwind by watching their favourite content, chatting with friends or scrolling through happy memories. Social media provides that getaway. With rising data costs, many Nigerians may lose this small but crucial source of comfort.
For people dealing with loneliness or stress, online communities offer support that is tough to find elsewhere. Taking that away isn’t merely an economic issue— it is a mental health concern.
Why Are Data Prices Increasing?
Telecom providers argue that rising operational costs, including fuel for powering network towers and the devaluation of the naira, have compelled them to inflate prices. While there are some truths to these claims, it raises a pressing question: Why should the average Nigerian bear the brunt of the country’s systemic failures?
The economy is tough, and their businesses need to thrive, agreed. But what about the people struggling to afford necessities? There must be a better way.
Can’t There Be a Middle Ground?
This is not a call to vilify network providers entirely. After all, they are also faced with peculiar challenges, but there is a demand for equilibrium.
Here are some possible solutions:
First off, the feasible solution is government intervention: Regulators like the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) should ensure that data remains affordable while supporting telecom companies with infrastructure developments and tax reliefs.
In the same vein, network providers should make available special data packages such as introducing discounted plans for students, low-income earners and small businesses because it is not everyone who can afford 1 gig of data at the current rate of 700 naira.
In addition to the above, there should be infrastructural investments in the sense that long-term solutions like solar-powered towers could cut operational costs, thereby reducing the need for price hikes since our network providers complained of power supply.
Lastly, public dialogue should be looked into because, to an extent, consumers also deserve transparency. Any tariff increase should come with clear communication explaining why and how it benefits users. In Nigeria’s case, it is void.
What is at Stake?
This is not just about internet data. It is about what data access represents—opportunity, connection, and progress. In a world moving increasingly online, denying people affordable internet is like shutting the door to growth.
Think of how social media drives activism. Movements like #EndSARS gained momentum online, holding leaders accountable and bringing global attention to local issues. If fewer people can afford to be online, whose voices will be heard? Whose stories will be told?!
Nigeria stands at a crossroads. We can’t afford to let something as essential as internet access become a luxury. Not now. Not when the world is racing ahead in digital inclusion.
Affordable data is not just about browsing Instagram or watching YouTube videos. It includes necessities such as education, business, connection, and survival. Every Nigerian deserves the opportunity to stay connected without having to choose between buying data or buying food. We need solutions as soon as possible. In a world that is always online, being left out is not just disagreeable but also devastating.
For the average Nigerian trying to make ends meet while staying connected, your frustration at this time is valid. Your voice matters too. Let’s keep speaking up until something changes. Nonetheless, when will it happen and who will bring the change?!
Let’s hope the powers that be are listening.
