MTN Nigeria has attributed rapid mobile data depletion to a combination of phone settings, application usage and the high operational costs of running telecommunications networks, urging subscribers to manage their devices more effectively.
The company made the call during its Data on Trial experience held in Abuja on Monday, where it sought to demonstrate how everyday phone activities and network operating expenses influence data consumption and pricing.
Karl Toriola, Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria, said telecommunications operators face substantial costs in maintaining network infrastructure, including electricity, transportation and the facilities required to keep base stations operational.
He disclosed that MTN spent about ₦4.05 trillion on power in the preceding year, highlighting the financial burden of providing reliable connectivity in Nigeria.
“Please, understand that in this country, as well as some other African countries, we are providing power and transportation to all our sites,” Toriola said, adding that electricity costs were higher in Nigeria than in the United Kingdom.
His comments come amid persistent concerns among Nigerian subscribers over the speed at which mobile data bundles are exhausted, with consumers frequently questioning whether their data allowances accurately reflect their usage.
Mike Ndukwe, General Manager of Network Performance and Quality Assurance at MTN Nigeria, identified video streaming, social media activities and automatic downloads as common contributors to rapid data consumption.
He advised subscribers to disable automatic media downloads, restrict background data usage and configure applications to download large files only when connected to Wi-Fi.
Ndukwe urged users to understand how their devices and applications consume data, noting that background activities and default application settings can use data even when subscribers are not actively browsing.
The company’s position highlights the importance of digital literacy and transparent information about data consumption, particularly as smartphones and data-dependent applications become increasingly central to communication, business and entertainment.
Industry figures from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), updated as of October 12, 2026, showed that total mobile subscriptions across MTN, Airtel, Globacom and T2 stood at 197,416,694 in August, up from 195,108,814 in July.
Meanwhile, Peter Akpatason, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Communications, acknowledged MTN’s significant investments in the telecommunications sector but said more investment was needed to improve service quality.
He also welcomed initiatives designed to improve public understanding of data management and address concerns surrounding the telecommunications industry.
While phone settings and online activities can contribute to data depletion, the effectiveness of such explanations depends on transparent usage records and accessible tools that enable subscribers to verify their consumption. Improved consumer education, alongside continued investment in network infrastructure and service quality, will be important in strengthening public confidence in Nigeria’s telecommunications sector.