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Comedian I Go Save Blasts Nigerian Internet Providers Over Data Fraud Claims

Written by

Femi Gbadeyan

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Nigerian comedian I Go Save has joined the growing chorus of public voices criticising internet service providers in Nigeria, releasing a video on Wednesday in which he accused telecoms companies of defrauding subscribers by depleting data bundles far ahead of their advertised validity periods.

The video, shared on X by user @ChuksEricE, resonated quickly with Nigerian social media users, many of whom said the complaint reflected their own daily experience with mobile data services.

What I Go Save said

Speaking in a mix of Pidgin and English, the comedian said his one-month data subscription was exhausted within hours of activation, questioning how that was possible without downloading unusually large files. He called on President Tinubu to look into the matter, asking whether even the president’s own data expires prematurely. “Abroad if they say you have subscribed for one month, one month na one month. Nigeria own dey stay two days. Which kind wayo be all this?” he said.

He also extended his frustration to the wider cost-of-living crisis, urging the government to focus on data pricing before addressing other matters. “Nigerians are suffering,” he added.

A long-running consumer complaint

The comedian’s outburst reflects grievances that Nigerian consumers have repeatedly raised with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the sector’s regulator. Subscribers across all major networks, MTN, Airtel, Glo, and 9mobile, have for years complained that data bundles expire faster than their stated duration, particularly following the significant data price increases that came into effect in early 2025.

In February 2025, the NCC approved a tariff increase of up to 50 per cent for telecoms operators, citing rising operational costs, infrastructure investment needs, and the impact of naira devaluation. Consumer rights groups at the time warned that the increases, combined with existing complaints about data depletion, would compound hardship for ordinary Nigerians.

The NCC has not responded publicly to the comedian’s video. RNN.NG contacted the commission for comment and will update this story upon receiving a response.

Growing celebrity voice on economic issues

I Go Save’s outburst comes just one day after fellow entertainer Kunle Remi made headlines for publicly criticising rising fuel prices and calling out colleagues who defend the Tinubu administration’s economic policies. The back-to-back interventions from Nigerian entertainers on economic matters reflect a broader shift in tone among public figures who have traditionally avoided direct political commentary.

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