June 9 (THEWILL) — MTN Nigeria has defended the recent increase in telecom tariffs, saying the adjustment was critical to the survival of both the company and the wider telecommunications industry, while unveiling plans to invest more than N1tn in network expansion in 2026.
The Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria, Karl Toriola, disclosed this during the company’s stakeholder engagement on internet data usage, themed ‘Data on Trial’, held in Lagos.
The event featured a courtroom-style debate hosted by Ebuka Obi-Uchendu and attended by regulators, subscribers and content creators.
According to Toriola, MTN invested about N900bn in network expansion and maintenance in 2025 and plans to exceed N1tn in capital expenditure next year.
Explaining the rationale behind the tariff review, he said the company was under severe financial strain before regulatory approval was granted for the increase.
“The tariff increase was implemented for one primary reason: to allow the industry to survive.
“At the time, there was not enough money coming into MTN’s accounts to pay for diesel, rent and software licences. Without that increase, we would have had to shut down the network,” he said.
Toriola added that the company was technically insolvent and operating with negative equity, warning that network operations were at risk without intervention.
He also argued that data prices in Nigeria remain among the cheapest globally despite the hike.
On data consumption, the Chief Customer Relations and Experience Officer, Ugonwa Nwonye, said MTN would launch a personalised data dashboard and calculator by the end of the month to help customers monitor usage.
She noted that video-streaming platforms, device settings and automatic backups are among the major drivers of data depletion.
Chief Marketing Officer Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka said the initiative was designed to address concerns around data depletion, expiry and transparency.
She added that MTN, which serves more than 87 million subscribers, would continue nationwide consumer education campaigns over the next six months.
Ogochukwu Onwaeze is a writer specializing in business and economic journalism. At THEWILL News Media, she translates market trends, financial developments, and policy shifts into clear and engaging stories.
