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COVID-19: Reduce Data Charges, Nigerians Rage

Published

4 years ago

March 30, 2020

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By Ayodele Oluwafemi

Nigerians have taken to the microblogging platform, Twitter, to demand that telecommunication companies reduce prices of data during the stay-at-home period ordered by various governments on account of the outbreak of COVID-19 (Coronavirus).

The hashtag #CutDataPrices generated several tweets, demanding that Nigerian telecommunication companies should perform their corporate social responsibilities by slashing the prices of data subscription.

The agitation was sequel to the lockdown order pronounced by most state governments which was on Sunday complemented by the Federal Government’s declaration of of a stay at home order on Lagos and Ogun States and Abuja.

Many Twitter users argued that in the UK and many European countries, telecommunication companies give out free data to their customers for 30 days, in order to keep them at home.

BBC reported that Vodafone has announced that it would be giving out free unlimited mobile data to half a million of its customers in the UK, during this period.

Many Nigerians are demanding similar action from Nigeria’s telecommunication companies.

GreenwhiteGreen gathered the following tweets:

We don't want "double data" nonsense.

Same thing they do with double credit and increase the call rates and before you know it's your credit is gone.

Simply reduce the cost of dat, show Nigerians that you're in solidarity with them this trying period.#CutDataPrices
— Aproko Doctor™ (@aproko_doctor) March 30, 2020

With the Lockdown of Lagos, Abuja and Ogun state:

– Electric bill for the month of April should be waived.
– Nigerians in these states should receive a weekly wage
– Food items should be made available.
– One month free dstv subscription
– #CutDataPrices during this period!
— Obi Of Onitsha?? (@cliqik) March 30, 2020

If there's any Trend i can protest, sabotage, riot and strike for, its this one.
Yo! This niggas are the reason I'm not a millionaire ??
Especially @9mobileng yall are too stingy cut down the Damn data! I use 3gb per day and I'm not a yahoo boy??
Join the Tag#CutDataPrices pic.twitter.com/KU4ZRr4K3o
— ??WOLEXZ TRICKS ??? (@wolexz_tricks) March 30, 2020

In the UK,
Vodafone gives 30 days FREE mobile data to put a smile on faces of British people during this Coronavirus period.

Nigerians are not even asking for free data. They are only asking for affordable data.

Tag your telecom company.
Ask them to #CutDataPrices now.

RT pls. pic.twitter.com/HhCDUNBZqb
— #OurFavOnlineDoc ? (@DrOlufunmilayo) March 30, 2020

Only in Nigeria you’ll do an unlimited data bundle but it still comes with a limit ??‍♂️ #CutDataPrices
— Billionaire Ambition ?? (@Datgreatnigga) March 30, 2020

Nigerian telecom companies:
“Be safe”

Every morning,
You send millions of Nigerians sms of “be safe”. Be safe how?

Pls cut data prices.
We can use that data to access internet and learn about the virus.

Stop sending Nigerians useless SMSes.#CutDataPrices if you are serious.
— #OurFavOnlineDoc ? (@DrOlufunmilayo) March 30, 2020

This is another day to remind d Government & internet service providers to #MakeDataCheap

We have been self isolating for 2weeks & we are going on for another 2wks.

Data price needs to drop so pple can comfortably afford it this season.

Hear our plea.

Please #CutDataPrices
— CHISOM (@_PLICE) March 30, 2020

It is very important for service providers to either give free data now or #CutDataPrices . Also important for DSTV to "do quarantine for us " by giving everyone free DSTV and GOTV in April or cut prices. After all DSTV subscription is only expensive because of sports channels.
— ᴏᴍᴀsᴏʀᴏ ᴀʟɪ ᴏᴠɪᴇ™☤ (@OmasoroO) March 30, 2020

People need data to stay online.
People need data to contact family.
People need data to follow news.
People need data to hear from NCDC.

It is not fair to make people pay same prices for data in the middle of a pandemic.

Dear telecom companies,
Pls #CutDataPrices

Please ??
— #OurFavOnlineDoc ? (@DrOlufunmilayo) March 29, 2020

Dear Network Providers,

It is important that you put into consideration cutting of data prices. People stay online to access info,lots of business thrive from being online,in this period of Isolation,it is only right that you #CutDataPrices if you care about your customers.
— WarepamorSammy ?? (@Warepamorsammy) March 29, 2020

I strongly advocate for a slash in Data prices
In this time of the #COVIDー19 pandemic,everyone is Home due to the lock down.
We need to be regularly informed about latest news.
We need to be ONLINE
We need all the Telecom companies in Naija to #CutDataPrices
Do it for Humanity
— AURA❤️COOL (@TWEETORACLE) March 29, 2020

Telecoms companies should be more responsible at this time.

Corporate Social Responsibility is not in words but action.

I support the slash in data prices.#CutDataPrices
— DAVID EDET (@Global_Orator) March 29, 2020

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COVID-19: Reduce Data Charges, Nigerians Rage

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