Students of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, have questioned MTN Nigeria over data costs, consumption, and network quality during an interactive session organised as part of the company’s “Data on Trial” initiative.
The session, held on August 27, 2026, at the Abdullahi Mahadi Conference Centre, ABU, adopted a courtroom-style format, with students from the Faculties of Law and Engineering serving as the prosecution and MTN staff as the defence team.
Lawyer and media personality Timi Agbaje presided over and hosted the session, which provided students with an opportunity to raise concerns about their everyday experiences with MTN’s data services.
The students questioned the quality and consistency of network connections, the affordability of data amid the current economic climate, changes in data prices, automatic refunds following service outages and rapid data consumption.
In response, the MTN defence team explained factors that influence data consumption and offered practical ways for users to monitor and manage their usage.
The students were also shown how video streaming, social media use, background applications, automatic updates, and other smartphone processes can contribute to data consumption. They were introduced to built-in operating system tools, the MyMTN app, and usage calculators for auditing device consumption in real time.
A 500-level Agricultural and Bioresources Engineering student, Abdullahi Omeiza, stated that the session changed his perception of why data appears to run out quickly.
“I’ve gotten to understand that as things change, and phones and visual quality upgrades, it demands more data to make these services work smoothly,” Omeiza said.
Another student and a 400-level Political Science student, Beracah, affirmed that the session helped dispel some assumptions she previously had about data usage and MTN.
“Most importantly, our data isn’t finishing magically,” she said, stressing that the session gave her a better understanding of MTN’s approach to transparency and accountability.
“With the Data on Trial session, I got to know that MTN promotes transparency and accountability,” she added.
Similarly, a 300-level Computer Science student, Hamdalah, said she learnt that rapid data depletion was not necessarily a case of a network provider “stealing” data.
“I learnt that apps like TikTok and other streaming platforms can consume a lot of data, alongside background apps, and automatic updates in my phone,” she noted.
“I also learnt practical ways to monitor my data usage and manage it better.”
A 400-level student of Educational Administration and Planning, Toyo also disclosed that the biggest takeaway was discovering the number of activities running in the background on a phone that can consume data without the user immediately noticing.
The engagement builds on MTN Nigeria’s broader transparency drive launched at a flagship event in Lagos, where the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Karl Toriola, emphasised its commitment to openness.
“We are not asking customers to trust us blindly. We want them to see the evidence and understand exactly how data is consumed,” Toriola remarked.
He added: “What we are saying authoritatively is we will never deliberately shortchange you on the consumption of your data.”
The session combined accountability with education and reflected MTN’s push for transparency with its customer base, particularly younger, tech-engaged Nigerians on university campuses.
