MTN Nigeria plans to hold a public inquiry on 6 June 2026 to address persistent concerns over mobile data depletion and improve transparency in the telecom sector.
The initiative comes amid growing public scepticism about how telecom operators measure and deduct data usage, with many subscribers alleging that their data bundles run out faster than expected.
Concerns intensified after the Nigerian Communications Commission approved a 50% tariff increase in January 2025, leading to higher costs for data and voice services.
In a statement, MTN said the inquiry would provide an open platform for Nigerians to scrutinise the mechanics of mobile data consumption and understand how usage is measured across devices and networks.
According to the company, the event will adopt a courtroom-style format designed to ensure fairness and public participation.
Rather than appointing representatives, MTN has partnered with independent media organisations to enable Nigerians to vote for a five-member prosecution team that will represent consumer interests during the proceedings.
The selected representatives will be empowered to present consumer evidence, question technical experts and challenge MTN’s explanations.
On the other side, the telecom operator will field a defence team comprising technical executives, network engineers and independent mobile hardware specialists.
MTN stated that all diagnostic tools, backend systems and demonstration processes used during the inquiry will be independently verified by KPMG to ensure credibility and prevent manipulation.
The public hearing follows recent protests led by activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore, who called for an investigation into alleged unfair data deductions by telecom operators in Nigeria, particularly MTN.
The company said the entire proceeding will be livestreamed across television and digital platforms, including YouTube, Facebook, X and TikTok, describing the initiative as a significant step towards consumer accountability and digital literacy in Nigeria’s telecommunications industry.
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