RISING DATA COSTS THREATEN ONLINE JOURNALISM AND STUDENT LEARNING IN NIGERIA

By Oladimeji Aishat Gift

Matric No: 240912117

Students, media professionals, and internet subscribers across Nigeria have raised serious concerns over the escalating cost of internet data, warning that the surge could severely cripple online educational platforms and undermine the sustainability of digital news outlets.

This fear follows the implementation of a 50 per cent tariff increase by Nigeria's largest telecom operator, MTN. The hike, approved by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in January, has resulted in substantial price adjustments for various data plans.
For many users struggling to afford the bandwidth necessary for daily activities, this development represents a major barrier to digital access.

In universities across the country, students reliant on virtual learning are finding it increasingly difficult to participate in online lectures, research assignments, and access academic resources. With the cost of the 1.5GB monthly plan rising from N1,000 to N1,500, and larger bundles seeing even steeper increases, many students report missing vital parts of their studies due to an inability to maintain active data subscriptions.
Simultaneously, the online journalism sector faces a crisis of sustainability. The high cost of acquiring and maintaining digital technologies, coupled with the exorbitant price of internet access to produce and disseminate news, is putting immense pressure on media organizations.

While the NCC justified the hike, citing rising operational costs and the need to ensure the long-term sustainability of the telecommunications sector, stakeholders argue that immediate measures are needed to prevent a stagnation of Nigeria’s digital economy.

The National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers (NATCOMS) has already voiced opposition to the increase, threatening legal action and arguing that the hike should be reversed to a maximum of 10 per cent.

Links for reference:

https://guardian.ng/technology/one-year-after-50-telco-tariff-hike-leaves-operators-happier-consumers-frustrated/

https://punchng.com/vat-collections-surged-to-n8-61tn-in-2025/