Human rights activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has criticized MTN Nigeria Chief Executive Officer Karl Toriola over his assertion that truly unlimited mobile data plans do not exist anywhere in the world except at extremely high prices.
Toriola made the remarks during a press conference titled “Data on Trial” held in Lagos, where he argued that unlimited data packages are not feasible on mobile networks because no operator can sustain quality service if every subscriber enjoys unrestricted data access at low costs.
According to him, most so-called unlimited plans are governed by fair usage policies and hidden limits.
Reacting through a post on X, Sowore dismissed the statement as false, insisting that millions of consumers across various countries enjoy genuinely unlimited or effectively unlimited broadband and mobile data services.
He argued that many of these plans are more affordable relative to income levels than what Nigerians currently pay for telecom services.
The activist accused telecom operators of repeatedly increasing tariffs while consumers continue to face concerns over network quality, service reliability, and data affordability.
He maintained that Nigerians deserve better value for money and improved service delivery from telecommunications providers.
In his response, Sowore suggested that public frustration over data costs and service quality may soon translate into organized action.
He hinted at the possibility of a nationwide protest against MTN, using the phrase “#OccupyMTN” to signal growing dissatisfaction among consumers.
The controversy comes amid ongoing debates over telecom tariffs following the Nigerian Communications Commission's approval of increases in the prices of voice calls, SMS, and data services earlier in 2025.
Operators have defended the adjustments, citing inflationary pressures, rising operating costs, currency depreciation, and the need to sustain investments in network infrastructure.
MTN has consistently argued that despite recent price increases, Nigeria remains among the world's most affordable markets for mobile data.
However, critics contend that comparisons should take into account income levels, service quality, network reliability, and the overall consumer experience.
The debate has also gained traction on social media, where Nigerians have shared examples of unlimited or near-unlimited data plans available in other countries to challenge Toriola’s position.
Supporters of Sowore argue that competition and technological improvements should make more consumer-friendly packages possible within Nigeria's telecommunications market.
Industry experts note that while network capacity limitations often make completely unrestricted mobile data difficult to sustain, operators around the world frequently offer plans marketed as unlimited, subject to varying fair-use conditions.
The disagreement therefore centers on how “unlimited data” is defined and whether Nigerian consumers are receiving competitive value compared to global standards.
As discussions continue, attention is likely to remain focused on data pricing, network performance, and consumer rights within Nigeria's telecom sector.
Whether Sowore's threat of a nationwide protest materializes may depend on public sentiment and the response of telecom operators in the coming weeks.