A Growing Concern: The Hike in Data Tariffs Hit Students Hard.
By Sanni Juliet Oluwadarapupo
As students, communication is one of the most important aspects of our lives, it is something we cannot do without. It is one of those factors that characterises us as students in the University. Information flows in rapidly, faster than the speed of light. The minute you switch off your internet connection, you stand the risk of losing out on important updates, as a lot can be passed across within just a few seconds.
Here in the University of Ibadan, information is the bedrock of Students lives. Students battle to stay updated with the latest information, ranging from scholarships and class updates to what is trending in the school community. They struggle to keep up, but the question now is, how long will they hold up?
It is no news amongst the University of Ibadan students that the prices of data have gone up, leaving many to wonder what lies ahead. On the 20th of January, 2025, the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) announced a price increase for data and voice charges in the country, approving a 50% increase in data tariffs. The rise in data prices by Telcos was as a result of the increase in operational cost, the need to invest in their own infrastructure and to sustain their industry.
This hike in data price has become the dominant topic of conversation and here at the University of Ibadan, the discussion persists. Many students are experiencing the burden, striving to balance their academic and personal needs with the increasing cost of data subscriptions. The Press reached out to some students to express their opinions as regards the new change. An anonymous source shared her frustration on how she has to spend more on data leaving her little to nothing for upkeep. This is the fate of some students, a situation where the need for data outweighs the need for basic necessities like food.
“The increase in the data tariff has affected me in several ways.
Firstly, I have to manage the money I am given from home (which is primarily for feeding), for data and some other utilities. With the increase in data tariff, I am forced to spend more money on data, which is also a necessity, leaving me with less money for feeding. This has affected my feeding to a reasonable extent”
The anonymous source also expressed how the high data costs have limited her engagement in activities that are beneficial to her growth.
“Secondly, as a result of the increased tariff, I am unable to join important online meetings that are meant for my personal development and even school work.”
This is the reality of students. The reality where students’ allowances, meant for basic necessities like food, are being used to purchase data. The reality where students are in the unknown, deprived of vital information, because of the inability to keep up with the data subscriptions. The reality, where students are uncertain, coping with the difficulty of staying informed.
Another source who requested anonymity also expressed her displeasure, highlighting how her feeding money has gone into data subscription. The source also stressed how the quantity has depreciated stating that MTN 2GB for #600 then, would last for about 6-7 days, but now, 1GB for #800 does not live up to 2 days.
When the Press reached out to her, there was a delay in feedback, which she stated was as a result of her “managing her data”.
“The increase in data price has really affected me, on a normal day before the cost of data, I do buy mtn 2gb for #600 and at I will use it at least 6-7 days if I do not download things online but now 1gb of MTN is #800 and it does not even last for 2 days then I will start imagining... The most annoying part is, despite an increase in price, it still does not last as it is supposed to.”
To keep up with the surge in data prices, students embrace the idea of borrowing. They do this just to stay abreast of the latest updates, but for how long? How sustainable will this be? In an interview with Nnda, he expressed how data is a prerequisite for students which urges them to resort to borrowing.
“We all know that no students can survive without data because of classes and the likes. Data is one of the commodities we cannot do without, we have to buy it. Most students do not have any other choice than to borrow. The 2.5GB which was N600 before is now N900 but what can we do, nothing! It is straining us financially”
At the University of Ibadan, there are places with public Wi-Fi hotspots where students can readily access the internet. Places such as the popular Access bank, Faculty of Arts, the Senate building, etc. In order for students to stay connected they have to journey through the long distance and stay under the scorching sun just to be connected to the internet.
Most times, the dissatisfaction surpasses the satisfaction. There are occasions where those places would be crowded with students that one would wonder if the journey is worth it.
Speaking with the press, Nnda also expressed how he is always demotivated trekking from his hostel to the Faculty of Art, despite how fast the connection over there is.
How can students who still battle to get every ounce of information attend online classes? Online classes are one of the dominant forms of learning. Courses such as GES as well as others, which have a large number of students that cannot be accommodated in a physical classroom, opt for online classes. With the prevailing condition where data prices have risen, quantity has waned down, how will students cope?
This new session comes with a lot of uncertainties? A new addition to the existing financial burden puts students on a difficult path. We hope that after graduation, it would only be NELFUND we have to pay back and not Telecom companies too. As of the moment, the Student Union body has remained silent on this issue. We anticipate a solution because walking through this path would lead to devastating effects. A critical interference must be sought out, as this is a pressing matter.
