Business
Updated: MTN Opens Billing System Amid Data Depletion Complaints
Updated: MTN Opens Billing System Amid Data Depletion Complaints
MTN Nigeria has unveiled a new transparency initiative aimed at addressing persistent complaints from subscribers over data depletion and billing practices, as the telecommunications giant seeks to strengthen customer trust and improve public understanding of how mobile data is consumed.
At a press briefing in Lagos, MTN announced the launch of “Data on Trial,” a public engagement platform that will allow Nigerians to independently examine the company’s data billing system, network operations and data consumption processes.
Speaking at the event, MTN’s Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer, Tobe Okigbo, said the initiative was designed to determine whether concerns raised by customers stem from technical issues, misconceptions about data usage or a need for greater digital awareness.
According to him, the company is opening its systems to public scrutiny because trust remains critical in the telecommunications industry.
“We want Nigerians to tell us what is wrong, ask questions and help us identify issues so that we can collectively find solutions,” Okigbo said.
He recalled that MTN previously adopted a similar approach when customers complained about unauthorised subscriptions to value-added services. The company responded by suspending the affected services, subjecting its systems to regulatory review and implementing corrective measures that helped restore confidence among subscribers.
As part of the initiative, Nigerians will have the opportunity to nominate and vote for a five-member “prosecution team” made up of consumer advocates, technology experts and digital commentators. The team will challenge MTN’s explanations and present consumer concerns during a live public hearing.
The hearing is expected to follow a courtroom-style format, with both customers and MTN officials presenting evidence, technical demonstrations and real-life experiences relating to data consumption, data depletion complaints and billing records.
To ensure credibility, independent professional services firm KPMG will verify the technical demonstrations and backend systems presented during the proceedings.
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MTN also disclosed that the event will be broadcast live, enabling subscribers across Nigeria to participate, ask questions and seek clarifications on issues affecting their mobile data usage.
Addressing journalists, MTN’s General Manager for Network Quality, Mike Ndukwe, dismissed claims that telecom operators arbitrarily deduct customers’ data allocations.
According to him, data is consumed whenever users stream videos, browse websites, download files or use applications that continue operating in the background.
Ndukwe explained that high-definition video streaming on platforms such as TikTok, YouTube and Instagram consumes significantly more data than standard-definition content.
He further noted that features including autoplay, cloud backups, automatic software updates, hotspot sharing and background application refreshes can increase data usage without users immediately noticing.
“Many customers do not realise that their smartphones continue to consume data even when they are not actively using certain applications,” he said.
The MTN official added that the widespread adoption of 4G and 5G networks has also contributed to higher data usage because faster internet speeds encourage richer digital experiences and larger content downloads.
Ndukwe stressed that MTN Nigeria’s data billing system operates using internationally accepted measurement standards and verified charging mechanisms.
He explained that differences sometimes occur between customer device records and operator records because smartphones, network infrastructure and billing systems measure different stages of data transmission.
According to him, MTN’s billing platforms undergo regular audits by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and independent evaluators to ensure compliance with industry regulations.
He added that the billing technologies deployed by MTN are similar to those used in regulated telecommunications markets around the world.
MTN’s General Manager for Network Services, Asura Mshelia, said delivering reliable telecommunications services depends on the seamless operation of multiple network components.
He explained that user traffic passes through base stations, transmission infrastructure, switching centres and internet gateways before reaching online destinations.
Mshelia identified congestion, power outages, equipment failures, adverse weather conditions and fibre optic cable damage as major factors capable of affecting network performance.
He also described vandalism as one of the biggest challenges facing Nigeria’s telecom sector, revealing that MTN has suffered repeated attacks on critical infrastructure, including theft of generators, batteries and solar-powered equipment.
According to him, fibre cuts caused by road construction activities, accidental damage and deliberate sabotage frequently disrupt telecommunications services and affect thousands of subscribers.
The executive appealed to Nigerians to support efforts to protect telecom infrastructure, warning that attacks on network facilities often result in widespread service interruptions.
The initiative comes at a time when internet usage in Nigeria continues to rise rapidly. Industry figures show that millions of Nigerians now depend on mobile internet services for banking, education, business, entertainment and communication.
With increasing reliance on digital services, concerns over data billing, mobile data consumption and network quality have become more prominent among subscribers.
MTN said the Data on Trial initiative is expected to improve transparency, address customer concerns and enhance public understanding of how mobile data is measured, consumed and charged.
The company expressed confidence that the engagement would help bridge the knowledge gap between increasingly sophisticated telecommunications technologies and consumer expectations.
Updated: MTN Opens Billing System Amid Data Depletion Complaints
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Auto
Jetour Nigeria Unveils RELY R8, Rugged Luxury Pickup Built to Dominate Work, Adventure
Jetour Nigeria Unveils RELY R8, Rugged Luxury Pickup Built to Dominate Work, Adventure
Jetour Nigeria has unveiled the RELY R8, a premium pickup truck designed to combine rugged performance with luxury, advanced technology and exceptional versatility, setting a new benchmark for work and recreational vehicles in Nigeria.
Engineered to thrive in the country’s demanding terrain, the RELY R8 is built for agriculture, construction, logistics, security escort operations and weekend adventures, offering the toughness of a workhorse without sacrificing the comfort and refinement of a modern SUV.
The pickup boasts high ground clearance, impressive approach and departure angles, and a reinforced chassis designed to withstand harsh road conditions while delivering excellent stability, even in strong crosswinds.
Its all-terrain capability is enhanced by multiple driving modes, allowing drivers to switch effortlessly between mud, sand and paved roads. Whether tackling heavy-duty tasks or venturing off the beaten path, the RELY R8 is built to perform with confidence.
Inside, the vehicle departs from the traditional utilitarian pickup design, featuring a spacious SUV-inspired cabin that comfortably accommodates five adults while offering a premium driving experience.
Speaking on the new model, Jetour Nigeria representative, Kemi Adeola, described the RELY R8 as a perfect blend of strength, innovation and comfort.
“The RELY R8 delivers strength, reliability and advanced technology in one vehicle. It offers the capability of a modern workhorse without compromising on premium comfort or safety,” she said.
The pickup is equipped with a high-performance processor that powers its L2+ intelligent driving assistance system. It also features a 12.3-inch HD touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and remote engine start for enhanced convenience.
Safety is another major highlight of the RELY R8, with features including Intelligent Cruise Control, Lane Keeping Assist and Autonomous Emergency Braking, all designed to provide greater confidence and protection on every journey.
Jetour Nigeria has continued to strengthen its presence in the country’s automotive market, earning recognition as the Fastest Growing Auto Brand in Nigeria, while its Jetour Dashing SUV won the prestigious Car of the Year award. The company has served as the sole authorised distributor of Jetour vehicles in Nigeria since 2022.
The RELY R8 is backed by comprehensive manufacturer support, genuine spare parts and professional after-sales service through Jetour Nigeria’s network of authorised dealers, including Elizade Nigeria Limited, New Era Autovehicle Services Limited, Kojo Motors, Germaine Auto Centre, R.T. Briscoe Plc, TAB Autos Limited and Mandilas Motors.
Jetour Nigeria has invited prospective customers to visit any of its authorised dealerships nationwide to book a test drive and experience firsthand the RELY R8’s blend of rugged capability, cutting-edge technology and premium comfort.
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Auto
No Hiding Place for Traffic Offenders as FRSC Unleashes 12 Special Operations Nationwide
No Hiding Place for Traffic Offenders as FRSC Unleashes 12 Special Operations Nationwide
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has launched one of the most ambitious nationwide road safety operations in its history, deploying 12 intelligence-driven, code-named special enforcement campaigns across the country’s Zonal Commands in a decisive bid to curb road crashes, crack down on traffic offenders and save lives.
The coordinated initiative, known as the Zonal Special Intervention Patrol (ZSIP), commenced on July 20, with all 12 Zonal Commands simultaneously rolling out operations specifically designed to tackle the peculiar road safety challenges within their jurisdictions.
The operations are peration Fushin Zuma (Anger of the Bee) in Kaduna, Operation Ride Safe in Bauchi, Operation Shark Smile in Port Harcourt, Operation ABO (Safe Passage) in Lagos, Operation Sauka Lafia in Abuja, Operation Kasolayo in Ilorin, Operation Kwushi Ihe Mberede in Enugu, Operation Sanity in Osogbo, Operation Total Compliance in Benin, Operation Harbin Kunama (Scorpion Sting) in Yola, Operation Hadarin Kalangu in Jos, and Operation Daidaita Loading in Zone 10.
The Corps said the coordinated intervention reflects its determination to confront the major causes of road traffic crashes through intelligence-led enforcement, aggressive public enlightenment, enhanced operational visibility, stakeholder engagement and strategic collaboration with other security agencies.
Approved by the Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, the Special Intervention Patrol is designed to empower each Zonal Command to tackle the unique crash patterns and traffic violations prevalent in its area of responsibility.
According to the Corps Marshal, the initiative marks a significant departure from conventional traffic enforcement, shifting instead to targeted, intelligence-based operations capable of delivering measurable results in reducing road crashes and fatalities.
He explained that each operation had been carefully crafted to address dangerous driving behaviours and recurring traffic offences responsible for avoidable deaths and injuries on Nigerian roads.
Mohammed disclosed that the operations would witness massive deployment of FRSC personnel to highways, motor parks, loading points and other critical traffic corridors across the country.
The enforcement exercise, he added, would be complemented by sustained public awareness campaigns, stakeholder engagement and close collaboration with sister security agencies to ensure effective enforcement and prompt emergency response.
He warned motorists, commercial vehicle operators and fleet owners that there would be no hiding place for traffic offenders, stressing that anyone found violating traffic regulations would face firm but professional enforcement in line with the Corps’ statutory mandate.
The Corps Marshal, however, assured law-abiding road users that the operations were not designed to harass or punish responsible motorists but to safeguard lives and property.
He urged Nigerians to cooperate with FRSC patrol teams by obeying traffic regulations, avoiding dangerous practices such as overloading, mixed loading and reckless driving, while encouraging members of the public to report unsafe road users.
Mohammed also called on transport operators to embrace voluntary compliance, noting that road safety remains a shared responsibility requiring the collective commitment of government, transport stakeholders and every road user.
Summing up the Corps’ renewed determination to reduce road carnage on Nigerian highways, he declared: “Every Zone has a mission. Every patrol has a purpose. Every operation is a commitment to saving lives.”
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Auto
Jetour Nigeria Extends Winning Streak, Clinches Auto Brand of the Year Award
Jetour Nigeria Extends Winning Streak, Clinches Auto Brand of the Year Award
Jetour Nigeria has reinforced its growing dominance in Nigeria’s automotive market after emerging Auto Brand of the Year at the 12th Nigeria Transport Lecture and Awards, adding yet another prestigious honour to its expanding list of industry accolades.
The award, presented at the Transport Day Media event held at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, recognises the company’s remarkable market growth, expanding customer base and commitment to delivering innovative mobility solutions backed by reliable after-sales support.
This latest recognition comes on the heels of Jetour Nigeria’s recent Market Share Leadership Award 2025 from Jetour International, further underscoring the brand’s rapid ascent as one of the country’s fastest-growing automobile brands.
A Rapid Rise to the Top
The award highlights Jetour Nigeria’s explosive growth trajectory, soaring market acceptance, and unwavering commitment to tech-driven vehicles and premium after-sales support.
Speaking on the decision to honour the brand, Publisher of Transport Day Media, Mr. Frank Kintum, noted that Jetour’s disruptive impact on the market made it impossible to ignore.
“The Jetour brand has made a remarkable impact on the Nigerian market since its introduction, and they have consistently sustained that momentum,” Kintum stated.
“It was therefore difficult to overlook the brand for this prestigious recognition.”
Power of Authenticity
This latest accolade underscores Jetour Nigeria’s position as the sole authorized distributor of the global brand. Officially appointed by Jetour International in 2022, the company holds the exclusive rights to import, distribute, and service the entire Jetour lineup in Nigeria.
To protect consumer investments, Jetour Nigeria has built a comprehensive automotive ecosystem. By purchasing through the official network, customers are guaranteed genuine spare parts, expert factory-trained technical support, and valid manufacturer warranties.
Global Recognition/ Diverse Lineup
Jetour Nigeria says in a statement tgst its aggressive market strategy is not just winning local awards, it is turning heads globally.
At the 2026 Jetour Global Conference, Jetour International presented the Nigerian team with the Market Share Leadership Award 2025, crowning it the brand’s top-performing market in Africa.
This joins an already packed trophy cabinet, which includes the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) New Entrant of the Year, Fastest Growing Auto Brand, and the NAJA Car of the Year for the sleek Jetour Dashing.
Jetour’s rapidly expanding portfolio caters to a new generation of Nigerian drivers, blending rugged capability with eco-conscious innovation-the Flagship- G700 stands at the apex of the lineup as a luxury off-roader that delivers highly efficient running costs thanks to its advanced Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) powertrain.
The SUVs & Crossovers are the X50, X70 Plus, X90 Plus, T1 and the award-winning Dashing.
Rugged & Hybrid Capability-The rugged Jetour T2 (alongside its PHEV variant) and the X70 PHEV.
Nationwide Reach via Elite Dealerships
To ensure seamless, nationwide access to sales and premium maintenance, Jetour Nigeria operates through a carefully selected network of seven authorized dealership partners.
These remain the only entities officially recognized by both Jetour International and Jetour Nigeria to sell and service Jetour vehicles across the country, they are Elizade Nigeria Limited, New Era Autovehicle Services Limite, Kojo Motors, Germaine Auto Centre, R.T. Briscoe Plc, TAB Autos Limited, and Mandilas Motors.
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