Dear MultiChoice, Airtel, Globacom, MTN and 9Mobile,
This is an open letter but it is not a joke. And the attention you pay to it will show how much you truly care for your customers. Whether you’re the CEO or a cleaner, you need to stop what you’re doing right now and read this for a few minutes. And you need to send it to as many colleagues as you can; whether they’re board members or in bursary.
Nigerians are at the precipice. Every company has their hands in our pockets. Even our own government. We’ve never had to pay so much for just existing. We’ve never had it this bad.
Yes, we understand the challenges you are also struggling with, especially since 2022/2023. We are now in 2025 and things have gotten really really bad.
Every Nigerian— whether hustling in the bustling streets of Victoria Island, the nooks of Wuse 2, the corners of Mushin or Sapele, —feels the weight of these times. Over the last decade, inflation has skyrocketed from 8.5% in 2013 to 34.8% in December 2024 and currently stands at 24.4%. And we all know the reality is often worse than off than numbers suggest.
For those who may not understand the significance of these figures, the impact is clear: rising food prices, the staggering costs of rents, escalating electricity tariffs, and the burden of purchasing fuel at eye-watering rates—all without a mouth-watering increase in income levels. The minimum wage stands at ₦70,000 ($43) per month, one of the lowest in the world and there’s been no better time to remember that lecturer anecdote from our childhood: ‘My take home pay can’t take me home’.
But, we get it: doing business isn’t cheap these days and we appreciate your continued efforts to adapt.
Your products have become essential to our daily lives. We can barely remember a time when we survived without the connectivity services provided by the Telcos. Most of the voice and data services we take for granted today would be inconceivable 25 years ago.
And the thought of missing out on moments like Ademola Lookman’s record-breaking night in Europe or the gripping drama of Big Brother? Simply unimaginable.
Despite the increase, it is clear that we still pay less than many other countries in Africa and the rest of the world for internet and high-quality television. But the same cannot be said of quality.
The truth is that Nigerians are ready to pay more for services that are reliable, content that is world-class, and experiences that truly feel excellent. This is a crucial moment for the trusted brands we rely on to invest strategically in what truly matters—our quality of life. We no longer trust the banks to do this. The UCH example is a pointer to how bad some public hospitals are doing. It is the same for universities and many more. We now realise perhaps, it is better to pay a bit more if there is a guarantee of stronger networks and better service delivery.
So we challenge you to demonstrate that every extra Naira we pay is reinvested into modern, reliable, and cutting-edge technology that guarantees uninterrupted services. Complaints about poor internet connectivity, disappearing data, and other issues should not only diminish, they should be forgotten. We challenge you to pay your staff better and to pay even more taxes.
As for MutlChoice, we demand better picture quality; high-definition channels should be the standard, not the exception. Furthermore, we urge you to diversify your offerings so there is something more for everyone. Your potential reaches far beyond live football, and while we appreciate the originals like Under the Influence, Big Brother Naija, Wura, and the AMVCA, we are actively demanding more innovative content. We challenge you to revisit the discussions around pay-as-you-go billing and can we have a smart remote?
Moreover, leveraging your resources and influence to champion initiatives that enhance the lives of Nigerians is paramount. We need to witness your commitment through meaningful community programs, exceptional customer service, and a culture of operational transparency. It is essential not only to see the outcomes of your corporate social responsibility efforts but also to hear about the real, tangible impacts you are making in our communities.
This is a call to action: You are profit-based companies, yes—but we must see greater value for every kobo we spend. Let’s turn this period of rising costs into an era marked by exceptional service, innovative quality, and steadfast support for Nigerians.
Yours truly,
Tomiwo Ojo and friends from Neusroom.com.
