MTN Nigeria is under renewed scrutiny after former presidential aide Bashir Ahmad reported an implausible 58.83GB of data consumption in a single day, despite claiming minimal usage and regular Wi-Fi connectivity at home. The incident, highlighted on August 13, 2026, has reignited public frustration over perceived inaccuracies in telecom data billing. Ahmad stated he did not engage in heavy data activities and questioned how such a large volume could be recorded via cellular network when his phone automatically connects to home Wi-Fi. MTN responded by providing a detailed breakdown of the usage, attributing 19.68GB to iCloud Storage, 15GB to Apple iCloud, 10GB to encrypted app traffic, and smaller amounts to Google Services, Instagram, Snapchat, and others. The combined 34.68GB linked to Apple services raised skepticism, as iCloud typically avoids cellular data for large syncs. The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Federal Competition & Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) have been called upon to investigate the discrepancy. This event occurs alongside rising data costs and increased reliance on internet access for work and daily life, amplifying consumer demands for transparent billing. Industry figures show MTN and Airtel generated ₦2.4 trillion from data in the first half of 2026, underscoring the financial stakes involved. Subscribers continue to describe data tracking as opaque, making any anomaly a potential flashpoint.
The reported 58.83GB of cellular data attributed to iCloud backups contradicts standard device behavior, which prioritizes Wi-Fi for large transfers. This raises questions about whether MTN's reporting system accurately distinguishes between network types or if it misattributes background traffic. Consumers cannot verify what operators bill when usage details lack transparency, especially for encrypted or system-level data flows.
Editorial note: AI-assisted opinion, not established fact. Full disclaimer →
