MTN Nigeria CEO Karl Toriola spoke at the company’s “Data on Trial” event in Lagos on Saturday.
Addressing concerns about data pricing, Toriola said, “Influencers and critics should look at the price at which we sell data bundles. Then compare those prices with what customers pay in Kenya, Congo, and other countries around the world. You will find that data in Nigeria ranks among the four cheapest in the world. Ghana is also very affordable, and I acknowledge that.”
Toriola also addressed complaints about rapid data depletion. He explained that automated phone settings often consume data without users noticing. Toriola revealed that even senior telecom executives experience the same issue. 
He further disclosed that MTN invested ₦900 billion in network expansion in 2025 and plans to invest an additional ₦1 trillion in 2026.
Toriola advised Nigerians to manage their data usage more carefully. He said, “Switch off auto-backups and automatic updates over mobile networks for all applications, especially services like iCloud. Automatic updates and background app activities consume a significant amount of data without users realizing it. We do not initiate these processes.”
According to Toriola, no network provider can guarantee 100 percent service availability, especially in Nigeria, where operators face challenges such as vandalism, infrastructure theft, and multiple regulatory requirements.
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He urged Nigerians to understand the difficult environment in which telecom companies operate. Toriola also stressed the need for communities to help protect telecommunications infrastructure. He noted that road construction workers often damage critical fibre-optic cables, causing service disruptions for thousands of users.
MTN General Manager for Network Quality, Michael Ndukwe, also spoke at the event. He denied claims that telecom operators arbitrarily deduct customers’ data.
Ndukwe explained that customers consume data when they stream videos, browse websites, download files, or run applications in the background.
He encouraged customers to reduce video quality, limit background applications, and regularly check their device settings to manage data consumption more effectively.
Ndukwe added that MTN tracks data usage through globally recognized standards and verified billing systems. He stated that the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and independent auditors regularly review and audit MTN’s billing processes.
He further noted that MTN deploys the same charging technology and standards in several countries and regulated telecommunications markets around the world.
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