Nigerians Lament Rising Data Costs: ₦30,000 Monthly Just to Stay Online

Nigerians are now spending ₦30,000 monthly just to stay online—and it’s getting out of hand. Since the telecom regulator gave the go-ahead for data and airtime hikes, people have been feeling the pressure. Ordinary Nigerians, everyday hustlers, are now paying just to remain connected, and it’s draining them.

It’s not just one or two people—go to the streets, hear people talk. A recent interview by Technology Times TV in Lagos gave us a full picture. Students, traders, professionals, creatives—everybody is shouting about how expensive data has become. And what are we getting in return? Poor service, unstable connections, and constant frustration.

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Let’s be honest, this hike doesn’t make sense. Since March 2024, when the NCC allowed the increase in telecom prices, things have only gotten worse. The gap between what the people can afford and what the government is pushing as “digital progress” is growing every day. How do you talk about a digital Nigeria when a regular person is spending almost half their income just on data?

Some people now spend ₦30,000 monthly just to access the internet. Think about that—₦30,000. That’s not even including airtime. That’s someone’s monthly food budget. That’s school fees. That’s rent in some areas.

One guy said, “I use Glo and spend almost ₦30k monthly. But the network is very bad—very, very bad.” He even had to get a second SIM just to stay online. And now, he’s in debt.

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Another person who’s active on TikTok said, “I don’t even bother conserving data anymore. It finishes too fast.”

A lady who writes online said she missed her publishing deadline because of bad network—even though she paid ₦1,000 for just 3.2GB. What are we even doing?

Data has gone from being a tool to a burden. Something that should help people grow is now dragging them down. You can’t talk about building a future, pushing tech, or growing online spaces when the people you’re talking to can’t even afford to log in.

This is the reality on ground. People are tired. Nigerians are speaking up. They’re not just complaining—they’re frustrated. And rightfully so.