MTN Engages Subscribers At Data On Trial Campaign In Abuja

Mobile data giant, MTN Nigeria on Monday took its unique customer-engagement forum, “Data on Trial” to the nation’s capital.

The event took place at the prestigious Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja where the courtroom-styled inquiry directly confronted the long-standing public grievance: “Where did my data go?”

Lawmakers, including the Chairman of the House Committee on Communications, Peter Akpatason, observed the event, emphasising that Nigerian citizens deserve complete transparency regarding how their internet services are managed.

Taking the witness stand to defend the telecom network, MTN Nigeria Chief Executive Officer Karl Toriola strongly rejected allegations of arbitrary or intentional data deduction. Toriola asserted that the company’s billing system is entirely transparent, verifiable, and strictly aligned with international industry benchmarks.

He added that operators face unique infrastructure overheads in Nigeria, such as providing independent power and transit for thousands of base stations.

Providing further technical evidence, MTN Nigeria’s General Manager of Network Performance, Mike Ndukwe, explained that rapid data depletion is almost exclusively driven by modern smartphone behaviours rather than operator billing fraud.

Ndukwe pointed to several key culprits behind “stealth” consumption which include, “High-Definition Video Streaming: Auto-playing 4K and HD clips on social media platforms. Background Applications: Apps consuming network data even when the device is idle. Automated Cloud Backups: Seamless syncing of large media files to servers and System Software Updates: Automated background downloads initiated by device operating systems.”

Rather than a definitive verdict of guilt, the public inquiry concluded with a strong emphasis on consumer education. Industry experts and independent assessors noted that as telecom infrastructure matches European and American standards, network speeds increase—meaning smartphones pull larger volumes of data much quicker than in the past.

MTN however pledged to intensify its public campaigns to help Nigerians navigate their smartphone configurations, teach them how to restrict background app usage, and ultimately put consumers back in control of their digital spending.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Independent Newspapers Limited, registered on July 17, 2001 (RC No: 419927), commenced publication on October 1, 2001. With registered office at 15b, Daranijo Street, off Odusami street, off Wemco road, Ogba, Ikeja