Some Nigerians have taken to social media platforms to urge telecom companies and internet service providers to cut down data prices amid the enforced lockdown in some states in the country due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
On Sunday, President Muhammadu Buhari had ordered a lockdown of Abuja, Lagos and Ogun as one of the measures to contain the deadly virus.
The lockdown, which begins on Monday night, is expected to last for 14 days.
“Based on the advice of the Federal Ministry of Health and the NCDC, I am directing the cessation of all movements in Lagos and the FCT for an initial period of 14 days with effect from 11pm on Monday, 30th March 2020,” he had said.
In countries like the US and the UK, it is believed that some telecom companies offered free internet services to customers during the lockdown.
The development appeared to have prompted the calls by some Nigerians on telcos in the country to follow the footsteps of their counterparts abroad and slash data prices so customers can enjoy unlimited access to the internet throughout the lockdown.
“I strongly advocate for a slash in Data prices In this time of the #COVIDー19 pandemic, everyone is home due to the lockdown. We need to be regularly informed about the latest news. We need to be ONLINE We need all the Telecom companies in Naija to #CutDataPrices. Do it for Humanity,” a Twitter user said.
“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 data, show Nigerians that you’re in solidarity with them this trying period,” another user said.
Here is what Nigerians had to say:
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
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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
Advertisement— Aproko Doctor™ (@aproko_doctor) March 30, 2020
This is what I've used for this month alone. #CutDataPrices #CutDataPrices #CutDataPrices pic.twitter.com/NmiAeJRvIp
— Maintain (@Iammaintain101) March 30, 2020
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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
To telecom companies planning to donate 1billion to CoVID19, please we are begging you, #CutDataPrices. Easy access to Internet in this Corona times, would help stay at home and curb the spread of CoVID19.
Thank you🙇♂️@MTNNG @9mobileng @GloWorld@AirtelNigeria @GOtvNg@DStvNg pic.twitter.com/uHSAA751rP— BabaTunde 🧔 (@AtolagbeBO) March 30, 2020
Dear Telecoms companies,
This is to assure you that in a time of severe stress like this, Nigerians will remember companies that stood by them and provided relief to them.And while nobody can tell you what to do, please remember that dead people don’t buy data.#CutDataPrices
— #OurFavOnlineDoc 🛂 (@DrOlufunmilayo) March 30, 2020
During this lockdown, the only thing that can help people not to lose their sanity is availability of data. People will need data to work from home, talk to family & friends, take online courses, see movies and all. I’m pleading with our network providers to #CutDataPrices 🙏
— Mazi Olisaemeka C. ™ (@OlisaOsega) March 30, 2020
@AirtelNigeria @MTNNG @globacoms @9mobileng
Please cut data prices.. #CutDataPricesIt’s time to give back to your customers at this trying time 🙏🙏
— BIG EYE 👁 (@Eze_Vic1) March 29, 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
Dear @AirtelNigeria, don't you people even care about your customers? We load card every 2 days to sub your expensive data plans yet during this period, you can't even pity us small? #cutdataprices
— FitMedic 🇳🇬 (@FEMMY466) March 29, 2020
I have subscribed @AirtelNigeria
#1500 monthly plan four times this month and what is left will be exhausted in few days from now. This is robbery on our right and money.
#CutDataPrices#CutDataPrices #CutDataPrices #CutDataPrices pic.twitter.com/0U9A2OcBUs— Share🇺🇲🇳🇬 (@ShareWills) March 30, 2020
Kenyans get 4gb daily during this period, NCDC please #CutDataPrices for Nigerians https://t.co/8ziqSjlu26
— Barca Baby 🇪🇸 🇳🇬 (@sleekshady22) March 29, 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
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
A wise man once said
“We can't force them to contribute to society during this pandemic, we can only remind them that the dead do not buy data”#CutDataPrices— 22 (@omarrxxox) March 29, 2020
The only sane thing telecommunications companies can offer right now is to #CutDataPrices. People need data to work from home, learn and stay updated.
— LOFTY 🌍 (@mrtobi__) March 29, 2020
We need something like Unlimited Data ,3k monthly #CutDataPrices
— DECIDER ➍ (@SpendoGustavo) March 29, 2020
#CutDataPrices#CutDataPrices#CutDataPrices#CutDataPrices#CutDataPrices#CutDataPrices#CutDataPrices#CutDataPrices#CutDataPrices
Please I’m already broke and I need to be online for my sanity.😫😩😩
PLEASE #CutDataPrices 🙏
— ♠️ (@daraCme) March 29, 2020
I don't think telecommunications are doing their best during this period, it's not about transmitting messages on #COVID19Nigeria19, they should please #CutDataPrices to help people access the internet more. We all know people are affected financially directly or indirectly.
— DJ jarzeez (@azeezsodiq49) March 29, 2020
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