MTN Holds Public Forum to Address Data Depletion

Emma Okonji

MTN Nigeria will today in Lagos, hold a public forum to address the long age issue of subscribers’ data depletion.

Subscribers across all networks in Nigeria have persistently complained about the fast depletion of their data, a development that has compelled some subscribers to believe that MTN and other telecoms operators are intentionally depleting subscribers data for the gains of the mobile operators.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), in its recent Q1 2026 data report, said the total mobile internet subscriptions in Nigeria have surged past 153.2 million, operating within an ecosystem where data traffic has grown exponentially.

To address public skepticism, MTN Nigeria has stepped forward to convene an independent public inquest today June 6, 2026, aimed entirely at putting mobile data mechanics on trial.
Earlier in the week, MTN invited the media, content creators and tech influencers, where it explained how data is used by subscribers and how some data could deplete faster, based on usage. The gathering was in preparation ahead of today’s forum.

According to MTN technical team, led by its Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer, Mr. Tobechukwu Okigbo, high resolution video downloads and streaming with 4G or 5G networks can consume data faster because of its high speed and clarity images that it offers to consumers. They also explained that different apps running at the background of mobile devices, also consume data, unknown to the subscriber. They explained that subscribers’ data also deplete when they visit different sites, including during the use of Whatsapp and other social media platforms like Tiktok.
In other to address the issue with a wider audience, MTN is holding a public forum today tagged: ‘Data On Trial’.

To preserve the absolute integrity of the proceedings, the event will adopt a highly democratic, decentralised approach to human representation. Rather than handpicking participants, the platform is partnering with independent media channels to encourage Nigerians to vote for and select their own five-member Prosecution team. Ths process ensures that the public retains ownership of the brief and can choose trusted technology creators and consumer advocates to argue their case on the floor. The selected prosecutors will be granted complete autonomy to cross-examine technical analysts and put forward consumer evidence.

Conversely, a dedicated panel of MTN technical executives, network engineers, and third-party mobile hardware specialists will form the defence team. Both parties will be permitted to table their respective cases, present raw device data, and call forward witnesses to the stand. Every diagnostic tool and backend demonstration utility deployed during the session will be independently verified by global professional services firm KPMG to eliminate any risks of rigged or doctored outcomes.