“‘Our Data Disappears Like Magic!’—Subscribers Accuse MTN Nigeria Of Systematic Exploitation”
By Paul Ebi
A wave of public anger is sweeping across Nigeria’s telecom space after activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore accused MTN Nigeria of what he described as “daylight robbery” and “data theft,” sparking intense debate among subscribers nationwide.
In a strongly worded statement shared online, Sowore alleged that MTN’s practices represent “one of the worst forms of exploitative, scorched-earth business operations,” urging Nigerians to demand accountability. His remarks quickly ignited a flood of reactions from frustrated users who claim their data bundles deplete unusually fast and fail to deliver expected value.
Many subscribers echoed similar concerns, alleging that purchased data often “vanishes within a short time” or expires before it is fully utilized due to poor network quality. Some described the situation as “systematic exploitation,” calling on authorities to intervene.
The backlash has since expanded beyond MTN, with users naming other major operators such as Airtel Nigeria, Globacom, 9mobile, and even satellite provider Starlink, demanding industry-wide reforms on pricing transparency and service quality.
At the center of the growing controversy are renewed calls for regulatory action by the Nigerian Communications Commission, with consumers urging the Senate and relevant agencies to investigate alleged overcharging and poor service delivery. Some users also referenced past sanctions imposed on MTN over SIM registration violations, arguing that the burden of such penalties may have been indirectly transferred to customers.
However, not all voices in the debate are aligned. While many hailed Sowore’s intervention as timely and necessary, others questioned his motives, suggesting the campaign could be politically driven. Despite the divided opinions, the underlying issue of consumer dissatisfaction appears widely sharedConsumer rights advocates are now calling for coordinated action, including potential class complaints through regulatory bodies, to push for fair pricing, improved network reliability, and clearer billing practices.
As pressure mounts, industry observers say the telecom sector may face heightened scrutiny in the coming weeks, with Nigerians increasingly unwilling to tolerate what they perceive as unchecked exploitation in a critical service sector.
