Sowore accuses MTN of shortchanging subscribers on data service, threatens nationwide protest

Business, Innovation & Technology

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — Human rights activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has accused telecommunications giant MTN Nigeria of shortchanging subscribers and failing to provide transparency in the management of mobile data consumption.

Sowore’s criticism followed remarks by MTN Nigeria Chief Executive Officer, Karl Toriola, who recently stated that unlimited mobile data plans are largely unavailable globally unless customers are willing to pay significantly higher fees.

Reacting in a statement on Monday, Sowore alleged that the telecom operator was asking Nigerians to consume less data while continuing to charge higher prices.

“MTN’s CEO, Karl Toriola, is essentially telling Nigerians to use less of the data they paid for while continuing to charge them more. That is precisely what many consumers find unacceptable,” Sowore said.

He argued that internet access has become an essential service in modern society and should not be treated as a luxury.

“People buy data for work, education, business, communication, entertainment and daily life. In the digital age, data is not a luxury; it is a necessity,” he stated.

Sowore further called for greater accountability and transparency in the telecommunications sector, insisting that consumers deserve clear information on how data is measured, priced and consumed.

“Nigerians deserve affordable, reliable internet service, fair pricing, and complete transparency about how their data is measured, priced and consumed,” he said.

He urged subscribers who believe they are being unfairly treated to organise and demand accountability from service providers.

“If you believe consumers are being shortchanged, then it is time to organise, speak up and demand accountability,” he added.

The activist also threatened a nationwide protest campaign under the hashtag #OccupyMTN, escalating his dispute with the telecommunications company.

According to Toriola, “unlimited data on mobile networks does not exist anywhere in the world, except you are paying $400 a month.”

He maintained that unrestricted data usage could place excessive pressure on network infrastructure and compromise service quality for subscribers.

Sowore, however, rejected the claim, describing it as misleading and insisting that millions of consumers around the world enjoy affordable, unlimited or near-unlimited internet plans.

The activist accused MTN executives of failing to provide accurate information about global data pricing and availability.

MTN Nigeria has yet to issue an official response to Sowore’s latest remarks as debate over data pricing, network quality and consumer protection within Nigeria’s telecommunications sector, where mobile internet services remain critical to business, education and everyday communication, rages on.