Human rights activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate for the 2027 election, Omoyele Sowore, has launched a scathing attack on the Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria, Karl Toriola, over his assertion that unlimited mobile data does not exist anywhere in the world unless consumers are willing to pay extremely high prices.
The controversy erupted following comments made by Toriola during a press conference titled “Data on Trial” held in Lagos on Saturday, where the MTN boss defended current data pricing structures and argued that truly unlimited data packages are impractical on mobile networks.
According to Toriola, unlimited data services cannot realistically be sustained because network operators would be unable to build enough capacity to support every subscriber enjoying unrestricted access while maintaining quality service delivery.
“The issue of unlimited data on mobile network, it does not exist anywhere in the world, except you are paying $400 a month or whatever. There are high bundles and fair usage policies. On mobile networks, it does not really exist. There is a limit, because you can never build enough capacity for everyone to be on an unlimited bundle and you think you will provide quality service that will be decent,” he stated.
However, Sowore swiftly rejected the claim, describing it as misleading and accusing telecommunications companies of continuously imposing higher costs on Nigerians while delivering substandard services.
In a strongly worded reaction posted on his X account on Sunday, Sowore dismissed Toriola’s position with a single-word response: “Liars.”
He argued that millions of consumers across several countries enjoy unlimited or effectively unlimited broadband and mobile data services at rates that offer better value than what Nigerians currently receive.
“Millions of consumers around the world enjoy truly unlimited or effectively unlimited broadband and mobile data plans at prices that are often cheaper, relative to income, than what Nigerians pay for far less service,” Sowore said.
“Nigerians deserve affordable, reliable, and genuinely consumer-friendly telecommunications services, not endless tariff hikes, poor network quality, and excuses.”
The activist further escalated the confrontation by hinting at a possible nationwide protest campaign against MTN, suggesting that public frustration with telecom operators may soon translate into direct action.
“The time to #OCCUPYMTN nationwide is fast approaching!” he declared.
Sowore’s comments come amid growing public dissatisfaction over telecommunications costs in Nigeria following tariff adjustments approved by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
In 2025, the NCC approved increases of up to 50 percent on voice calls, text messaging and data services after telecommunications operators argued that rising inflation, foreign exchange volatility, energy costs and infrastructure expenses had significantly increased the cost of doing business.
Telecom companies, including MTN Nigeria, have consistently defended the price increases, insisting that mobile data services in Nigeria remain among the cheapest globally despite recent adjustments.
Critics, however, continue to challenge that narrative, pointing to countries across Europe, Asia and parts of Africa where consumers reportedly enjoy larger data allocations, more flexible packages and stronger network performance at prices they argue offer better value when measured against average earnings.
The latest exchange between Sowore and MTN has reignited a broader national debate over the affordability, quality and accessibility of telecommunications services in Nigeria, with many subscribers increasingly questioning whether rising tariffs are being matched by corresponding improvements in network performance and customer experience.
As public frustration grows, the possibility of a coordinated consumer action campaign against one of Nigeria’s largest telecommunications operators could add a new dimension to the ongoing dispute over data pricing and service delivery in the country’s telecom sector.