Nigerians are once again discussing the state of internet data services in the country after comedian iGoSave shared his experience with mobile data in the UK. According to iGoSave, he received 20GB of data in the UK, and after three weeks of high-speed browsing, he still had data remaining.
This starkly contrasts with the situation in Nigeria, where "monthly" data plans often last only a few days, forcing users to make multiple subscriptions in a month just to keep up with their internet usage.iGoSave used his platform to express frustration with Nigerian telecommunication companies, calling on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to investigate the data fraud that he believes is being perpetrated by Nigerian networks. According to iGoSave, despite paying for substantial data bundles, consumers are not getting the value they paid for, yet the prices for data services continue to increase.
The comedian's statement has sparked widespread debate, with many Nigerians voicing agreement with his frustrations. Social media users pointed out how data bundles in Nigeria seem to disappear quickly, even when using minimal data for browsing and social media. Many users took to Twitter and other platforms to share their own experiences of purchasing data plans that never seem to last long enough, especially when compared to data services abroad.
However, not everyone agrees with iGoSave's assessment. Some Nigerians defended the telecommunications companies, suggesting that iGoSave should start his own network business in Nigeria, arguing that operating a network in a country with unreliable power supply, rising fuel costs, and infrastructure challenges would inevitably result in similar issues. These critics claim that running a telecom company with diesel generators and other cost factors in a developing country like Nigeria makes it difficult to provide the same level of service as in countries like the UK.
The timing of iGoSave's remarks is particularly relevant as Nigerian telecommunication companies recently raised prices by as much as 200%, despite the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) only approving a 50% increase. This price hike has further fueled concerns about the state of the telecom industry and whether consumers are receiving fair value for their money.
In light of these developments, many Nigerians are calling for stronger regulatory oversight, especially in light of ongoing complaints about poor service and skyrocketing prices. The EFCC, ICPC, and FCCPC are under increasing pressure to investigate the allegations of data fraud, with many citizens hoping that these agencies will step in to protect consumers from what they perceive as exploitative practices by Nigerian telecom providers.
As the debate continues, it remains to be seen whether iGoSave's call for action will lead to any concrete investigations or reforms in the telecom sector. In the meantime, Nigerians will continue to deal with the realities of an industry that many feel is taking advantage of their pockets without providing the level of service they are paying for.
