Lagos, April 12, 2025 (Naija247news) – As the world marches into a digital-first future, Nigerians are stuck buffering between dreams of unlimited data and the harsh reality of expensive, limited gigabyte plans. While other nations enjoy seamless video streaming, remote work, and e-learning on truly unlimited data, Nigerians are still calculating how many MBs are left just to send WhatsApp voice notes.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!And now, telecom insiders, frustrated consumers, and digital economy experts are lifting the lid on why “unlimited data” might remain a fantasy in Nigeria — at least for the foreseeable future.
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“This Thing No Be Unlimited – Na Lie!” – The Voice of the People
From Lagos to Lokoja, from Enugu to Bauchi, ordinary Nigerians are angry.
“I bought what they called ‘unlimited night plan’ and it started throttling after just 10GB!” lamented Funke Okonji, a university student in Ogun State. “What is unlimited about that?”
In Onitsha, Okeke Chukwuma, a graphic designer, said he spends nearly ₦30,000 every month on data just to do his freelance jobs.
“If I lived in the U.S. or UK, that same money would get me real unlimited. But here, they give you bundle, then shock you with slow speed after using small data.”
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Network Capacity Is Still Stuck in the 2000s
Nigeria’s poor digital infrastructure is a major roadblock. According to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), only 22% of telecom base stations are fiber-connected, a key requirement for supporting high-speed, high-volume traffic.
Dr. Ekanem Udoh, a telecom consultant, put it bluntly:
“You can’t expect the same internet experience as London or Seoul when Nigeria is still dragging GSM-era infrastructure. Unlimited data needs more than advertising – it needs physical investment.”
Even the much-hyped 5G rollout remains restricted to a few elite districts in Lagos and Abuja. Rural areas are still battling for consistent 3G, let alone lightning-fast downloads.
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“Data Is the New Oil” – But Nigerians Are Paying the Price
Behind the scenes, telecom firms are profiting massively from the current system. A report by the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics shows that telcos earned over ₦3.7 trillion in 2023, with data alone contributing more than 65% of revenues.
“Unlimited plans threaten the revenue model,” explains Professor Abdulrahman Tanimu, a digital economy strategist. “If users start paying once a month and never top up, profits nosedive.”
So instead, they introduce “fair usage policies” – industry jargon for hidden limits. Once a user crosses a certain threshold, the data speed is throttled, rendering services nearly unusable.
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Forex Crisis: Why Telcos Say “Our Hands Are Tied”
Another elephant in the room is Nigeria’s dollar dependency. Telcos buy international bandwidth in dollars but earn in naira. With the naira struggling around ₦1,200 to the dollar, cost pressures are suffocating operations.
Airtel Nigeria’s top executive, who requested anonymity, told Naija247news:
“We want to offer more value, but how do you manage when your bandwidth bill has tripled in two years while government policies make expansion harder?”
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Taxed to Death: Telcos Battle Over 35 Levies
Telecoms are not just struggling with forex. They’re also choking under Nigeria’s overregulation. ALTON (Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria) lists over 35 federal, state, and local government taxes being imposed on network providers — some arbitrary, many duplicative.
“Every mast you erect, somebody comes asking for environmental tax, signage tax, or right-of-way tolls,” noted Gbolahan Afolabi, a regulatory expert. “This discourages serious expansion, especially in underserved communities.”
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The Hidden Victims: SMEs and Young Nigerians
For Nigerian youths running businesses online or students learning remotely, the lack of affordable, reliable internet is more than just a frustration – it’s a life barrier.
“How can I grow my podcast or stream tutorials when I spend ₦5,000 every three days?” asked Aminu Musa, a content creator in Kano.
SMEs, the backbone of the informal economy, are also struggling. With cloud services, payments, and advertising all requiring constant data access, the cost of internet is quietly crippling business growth.
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Expert Verdict: “Unlimited Data is a Mirage – For Now”
Professor Ifeoma Eze of Covenant University doesn’t mince words:
“Until we overhaul digital infrastructure, regulate data pricing, and invest in local bandwidth sources, unlimited internet is a myth we will keep chasing.”
She adds that Nigeria must localize more of its internet traffic through local data centers and IXPs (Internet Exchange Points) to reduce dependency on expensive undersea cables routed through Europe.
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The Bottom Line: Hype Meets Harsh Reality
While telcos will keep selling “unlimited” bundles with fine print caveats, the reality is grim. Without massive investment, political will, and consumer protection, Nigerians will keep paying premium prices for substandard internet.
“I use WhatsApp with fear,” said Mummy Zainab, a trader in Jos. “Any small video from my sister abroad can finish my data.”
For now, the only thing unlimited in Nigeria’s telecom industry seems to be the frustration.
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