Nigerians Switch from Android Smartphones to Basic Feature Phones in Palasa

By Elizabeth Adegbesan

Across Africa’s largest mobile market, a quiet reversal is underway.

Millions of Nigerians are setting aside their sleek, internet‑connected Android smartphones.

Instead, they are returning to basic, non‑Android feature phones because the high cost of mobile data and airtime makes smartphones unaffordable, Economy & Lifestyle reports.

The luxury of staying on‑line

Inflation, currency depreciation, and recent tariff adjustments have pushed the cost of internet access beyond the reach of many Nigerians.

For almost a decade, inexpensive Android devices fueled Nigeria’s digital boom.

Today, maintaining connectivity on those devices has become an unsustainable financial burden.

“I had to drop my Android phone in my drawer,” said Idris Abubakar, a 35‑year‑old auto mechanic.

“Every time I turn on my mobile data, the apps swallow N1,000 worth of data within hours on background updates. I cannot choose between feeding my family and feeding a smartphone. I bought a small button phone for N14,000, and my life has become much simpler.”

The economic reality is stark. With food inflation at record highs, a standard monthly data bundle now competes directly with basic household groceries, making the choice clear for price‑sensitive subscribers