Activist and African Action Congress 2027 presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has rejected claims by MTN Nigeria Chief Executive Officer, Karl Toriola, that unlimited mobile data plans do not exist globally unless users pay extremely high prices. Sowore slams MTN CEO and describes the statement as misleading.
Speaking at a press conference titled “Data on Trial” in Lagos on Saturday, Toriola said mobile networks cannot sustainably offer unlimited data plans.
He argued that operators cannot maintain quality service if all customers enjoy unrestricted data access at low prices.
Reacting in a post on X on Sunday, Sowore slams MTN CEO for what he called a false claim. He insisted that millions of consumers worldwide enjoy truly unlimited or near-unlimited broadband and mobile data plans at prices that remain affordable compared to local incomes.
The AAC presidential candidate, who has repeatedly criticised telecom operators over pricing and service quality, also hinted at a nationwide protest against MTN.
“Millions of consumers around the world enjoy truly unlimited or effectively unlimited broadband and mobile data plans at prices that are often cheaper, relative to income, than what Nigerians pay for far less service.
“Nigerians deserve affordable, reliable, and genuinely consumer-friendly telecommunications services, not endless tariff hikes, poor network quality, and excuses.
“The time to #OCCUPYMTN nationwide is fast approaching!” he wrote.
The development comes as MTN Nigeria and other telecom operators continue to defend tariff increases approved by the Nigerian Communications Commission.
In early 2025, the NCC approved tariff increases of up to 50 per cent for voice calls, SMS, and data services, citing inflation, naira depreciation, and investment needs.
MTN has maintained that Nigeria remains among the four cheapest mobile data markets globally despite the tariff adjustments.
However, critics, including Sowore, point to countries such as India, the United Kingdom, parts of Europe, and some African markets where consumers access near-unlimited data plans at relatively affordable rates.
Nigerians living abroad also shared screenshots of unlimited data plans on social media to challenge Toriola’s claim.
