LAGOS — YouTube Music has raised the monthly cost of its premium subscription plans in Nigeria, marking the first price increase since its 2020 launch in the country.
Subscribers to the individual plan will now pay ₦1,300, up from ₦900, while the family plan has jumped to ₦2,000 from ₦1,400, the company disclosed in an email sent to users this week.
“To continue delivering great service and features, we’re increasing your price to ₦1,300/month,” YouTube said. “We don’t make these decisions lightly, but this update will allow us to continue to improve Music Premium and support the artists you listen to.”
The adjustment mirrors recent developments in other markets. In South Africa, for example, YouTube Music recently raised its individual plan by 8% and its family plan by 11%.
The price hike also reflects a broader trend among digital platforms operating in Nigeria. Just weeks earlier, Spotify announced a similar price increase for its individual premium plan, also moving from ₦900 to ₦1,300/month. Industry analysts attribute the wave of increases to inflationary pressures and the devaluation of the naira.
Nigeria’s inflation rate stood at 23.18% in February 2025, while the local currency has depreciated sharply. Since the Central Bank of Nigeria unified the foreign exchange market in June 2023, the naira has tumbled from ₦471/$ to ₦1,567.02/$ as of April 3, 2025.
Tech giants like Netflix, Google, Microsoft, and pay-TV providers DStv and GOtv have all raised prices in response to these macroeconomic shifts.
While YouTube insists the changes are necessary to “support the creators and artists you watch,” the hikes may stretch the wallets of Nigerian users already facing economic strain.
