Internet in Nigeria is getting more expensive. But for many people, the service still feels unreliable. Calls drop. Transfers fail. Videos buffer endlessly. Sometimes, people switch between two or three SIM cards just to get a stable connection.

So why are Nigerians paying more for internet that still feels unstable?

Here’s a simple breakdown of what is happening:

In January 2025, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) approved a 50% increase in telecom tariffs.

That meant mobile networks could raise the prices of data bundles, phone calls, SMS. It was the first major tariff increase in over 10 years.

Soon after, Nigerians noticed that data plans had become much more expensive. For example, some MTN bundles doubled or even tripled in price and Airtel also increased the cost of several plans.

The timing made people even angrier because many Nigerians were already struggling with high inflation, expensive fuel, rising food prices, and a weak Naira. For many people, internet access suddenly became harder to afford.

Why Did Telecom Companies Increase Prices?

Telecom companies said they could no longer keep prices low because their operating costs had become too high. 

1. The Naira Lost Value

Most telecom equipment is bought in dollars. Over the years, the naira weakened badly against the dollar, meaning companies had to spend much more money to maintain their networks.

2. Electricity Problems Are Expensive

Nigeria’s power supply is unreliable, so telecom towers run mostly on diesel generators. Diesel prices increased sharply after fuel subsidy removal. That means telecom companies now spend huge amounts of money just to keep their towers on.

3. Prices Stayed Frozen for Years

Telecom tariffs stayed mostly the same for over a decade, even while inflation kept rising.

Operators argued that if prices did not increase, network quality would get even worse.

So Why Is the Internet Still Bad?

This is the part frustrating Nigerians the most. People expected better service after paying more. But many users say nothing has improved. That is because Nigeria’s internet problems go beyond pricing.

Fibre Cables Keep Getting Damaged. A lot of Nigeria’s internet depends on underground fibre-optic cables. These cables are often damaged by:

• Road construction
• Excavation work
• Theft
• Vandalism

When a fibre cable is cut, entire areas can lose network service. This is one reason internet outages happen so often.

Power Failures Also Affect Networks. Telecom towers need electricity to work. When there is a blackout, fuel shortage, generator problems, or diesel theft, the network can become weak or unavailable 

So even though people are paying more, the infrastructure behind the internet is still unstable.

In many countries, people rely heavily on home broadband or public Wi-Fi.

Can the Situation Improve?

Yes, but experts say Nigeria needs to fix deeper problems first.

That includes:

• Better Electricity

Stable power would reduce telecom costs and improve network quality.

• Protecting Fibre Cables

The government needs stronger action against vandalism and cable theft.

• Better Regulation

Many Nigerians want stricter rules to force telecom companies to improve service quality.

• More Competition

A more competitive telecom market could help improve service and pricing.

Nigeria’s internet crisis is no longer just about the rising cost of data. It reflects deeper problems tied to poor electricity supply, weak digital infrastructure, economic pressure, and the growing operational costs faced by telecom operators.