The Lagos State Chapter of the National Association of Nigerian Students Joint Campus Committee has vowed to stage a mass protest at MTN Nigeria?s headquarters, accusing the telecom giant of failing to reverse its recent data tariff hike fully.

It will be recalled that MTN initially raised the cost of its 15GB weekly data plan from N2,000 to N6,000, sparking widespread criticism from Nigerians and prompting industrial action by the Nigeria Labour Congress.

Following public outcry, the company announced a reversal.

In a statement jointly signed by its Chairman, Abdul-Raheem Abdul-Quadri, and Public Relations Officer, Ridwan Ajayi, NANS JCC Lagos denounced MTN?s claim of reversal, calling it a ?deceptive response to our demands.?

?Instead of reversing the hike, MTN has scrapped the 15GB weekly bundle and replaced it with a 7GB bundle at N3,000?less than half the original data volume at a higher cost! This is not a relief, nor is it a reversal; it is a further exploitation of students and Nigerians, disguised as an adjustment,? the students lamented.

NANS described the move as an ?attack on students and Nigerians,? warning that it exacerbates the digital divide and makes education more difficult for young people who rely on affordable data for learning, research, and daily activities.

Having issued a 72-hour ultimatum for a full reversal, NANS JCC Lagos declared a mass protest at MTN?s headquarters, with further details to be announced later.

?We refuse to be silenced! If MTN and the NCC refuse to act, we will continue to mobilise across campuses and the streets until our voices are heard,? the statement added.

The students? demands include an immediate reversal of the 200 per cent tariff hike; restoration of the 15GB weekly bundle at N2,000; introduction of student-friendly data plans; and the government and NCC intervention to regulate telecom pricing.

NANS called on youth organisations, civil society groups, and the general public to join them in resisting what they describe as unfair pricing by telecom operators.

When contacted on Sunday, the Senior Manager of External Relations at MTN Nigeria, Funso Aina, said the plan had already been discontinued.

He stated that, ?The plan in question has been discontinued. It is no longer available in our bouquet of services. There are several other options available for customers to choose from, all within the approved framework.? (The PUNCH)

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