Leading telecoms company MTN Nigeria received more than 12,000 complaints over data depletion in the first six months of 2026. This is according to industry data from the Nigerian Communicati
Leading telecoms company MTN Nigeria received more than 12,000 complaints over data depletion in the first six months of 2026. This is according to industry data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
The development coincides with the continued rise in daily complaints from Nigerians who feel cheated. It forms a direct reflection of the outcry by consumers (of all Nigerian mobile network operators) over allegations that their mobile data is being shortchanged.
While the industry data shows that MTN leads with 12,212 complaints received during the period under review, Airtel comes close with 9,806 complaints received. Globacom received 1,373 complaints, and T2mobile (formerly 9mobile) received the least with just 5 complaints.
Data depletion: Telecom Industry Complaints Received
In all, the top three MNOs received over 23,000 complaints over data depletion between January and June 2026.
Data depletion: Why Nigerians are angryNigerian subscribers often deal with widespread frustration over rapid internet data depletion, where purchased bundles expire much faster than expected. Mobile network operators (MNOs) and the NCC have maintained that operators are not responsible for arbitrary data deductions. Instead, they attributed depletion to device settings, malware, and modern app designs.
MTN, through its Data on Trial event, denied data theft claims and introduced reiterated transparency measures such as daily usage reports, a data calculator and other monitoring tools.
Providing details on why data seems to deplete faster, the operator noted that high-definition video streaming, automatic video playback on feeds, software updates and cloud backups consume large amounts of data instantly. It added that applications such as social media and email sync data, always fetch notifications, and perform updates even when users are not actively using their phones.
On data depletion
Despite the technical explanations provided by the NCC and telecom operators, internet subscribers continue to perceive rapid data depletion as theft primarily due to a severe trust deficit between consumers and telecom operators.
Factors such as the 50% telecom tariff hike have made the cost of data a high financial burden on Nigerians. This means that subscribers are now paying substantially more out-of-pocket for the exact same data bundles; they are now more concerned about how such data is being depleted. And when it disappears rapidly, it forces a painful choice between staying connected and buying necessities.
In addition, constant drops in network quality, such as dropped calls, slow loading speeds, and fluctuating network signals, have made users question how data gets depleted faster when they are experiencing poor network quality.
MTN Nigeria has faced the most backlash, an expected scenario, as the leading mobile network operator by subscribers (now 100 million).
Also Read: Telecoms experts frame rapid mobile data depletion complaints as a symptom of a trust deficit.
Over 413,000 complaints in H1 2026On a broader scale, MTN, Airtel, Globacom and T2mobile received 413,587 complaints from Nigerians in H1 ‘2026, according to the industry data by NCC.
NCC noted that the complaints are handled and resolved in accordance with the provisions of the Quality of Service Business Rules, 2024, and the Consumer Code of Practice Regulations, 2024, which establish the standards and timelines for complaint resolution within the telecommunications industry.
“The data also provides valuable insights into complaint trends, service quality issues, non-adherence to regulatory obligations, and the responsiveness of service providers,” it said, adding that the publication seeks to promote transparency, accountability, and consumer awareness within the sector.
Overall complaints received in H1 2026
Of the 413,587 complaints received by MNOs between January and June 2026, 98.38% (406,938) of the complaints were tagged as resolved. In its definition, the regulator defines “Resolved Complaints” as the total number of complaints successfully addressed and closed by the operator within the reporting month.
Leading issues that fueled the complaints range from quality of service (data and voice) to billing, data depletion, failed payment transactions, top up issues, portability, value added services and other SIM related issues.
In more breakdown, Airtel received the highest number of complaints (228,992) with a resolution rate of 99.38%. MTN followed with 124,405 complaints received and a resolution rate of 96.57%. Globacom is third with 56,810 complaints and a 99.04% resolution rate. T2mobile (9mobile) saw the least number of complaints received (3,885) and a resolution rate of 88.57%.
As of July 2026, MTN leads with 100.9 million, and Airtel strengthened its second spot with 66.76 million subscribers. Globacom remains third after ending the month with 23.63 million subscribers, while T2mobile stayed fourth with 3.61 million.
