By Opeoluwa Okudero 
For the third time in just over a year, Netflix has raised its subscription prices in Nigeria—at a time when many Nigerians are struggling to make ends meet.
As of June 2025, the streaming giant’s Premium plan now costs ₦8,500 per month, up from ₦7,000—a 21.4% increase. The Standard plan has jumped to ₦6,500 from ₦5,500 (18.2% increase), while the Basic and Mobile plans now cost ₦4,000 and ₦2,500 respectively.
These price hikes follow two rounds of increases in 2024 alone—one in April and another in July. Between then and now, some Netflix plans have seen as much as a 93% price surge in less than 18 months.
A Tough Ask in a Tough Economy
For many Nigerians, the timing couldn’t be worse. With inflation still soaring and food, fuel, and transport costs rising rapidly, entertainment budgets are among the first casualties in households already stretched thin.
Although Netflix says its pricing reflects “investments and improvements” and accounts for local conditions like taxes and inflation, critics argue that streaming—once an affordable escape—is quickly becoming a luxury.
The comparison with global markets makes the disparity more glaring. In the U.S., where the average worker earns over $60,000 per year, the Standard Netflix plan costs $15.49 (roughly ₦24,000). Meanwhile, in Nigeria, where the minimum wage is ₦70,000 (about $43), the Standard plan at ₦6,500 eats up almost 10% of a person’s monthly income.
Growth or Decline?
Despite affordability concerns, Netflix has continued to invest in the Nigerian market. Since 2016, the company says it has invested over $23 million in over 250 local productions and contributed nearly $40 million to Nigeria’s GDP. These efforts created more than 12,000 jobs across Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa.
However, signs of tension have emerged. Late last year, reports speculated that Netflix was pulling out of Nigeria. While Netflix denied the claims, reiterating its commitment to “investing in Nigerian stories,” price hikes like this cast doubt on how accessible those stories will remain to everyday Nigerians.
Thent pay-TV provider, has also repeatedly raised its prices, while telecom companies recently increased mobile data costs by up to 50%—further complicating access to digital entertainment.
On a continental level, Netflix has adjusted prices in other African markets too. In South Africa, for instance, the Premium plan rose to R229 ($12.53) from R199 ($10.87), with similar increases for other tiers except the Basic plan.
So, what does this mean for the future of streaming in Nigeria?
If current economic trends persist, even digitally savvy consumers may be forced to reassess how much they’re willing—or able—to pay for home entertainment. Unless streaming platforms begin to adopt regionally tailored models that reflect local realities, they risk losing relevance in the very markets they’ve invested so heavily in.
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