YouTube Premium Increases Prices in Nigeria: What Subscribers Need to Know in 2025

In a move that’s stirring conversations across the digital space, YouTube has increased the subscription fees for its Premium service in Nigeria, signalling a wider trend among global tech companies recalibrating their pricing models across African markets.

Nigerian users received email notifications from YouTube on April 4, 2025, announcing the new rates. The Individual Plan has been raised from ₦1,100 to ₦1,700 monthly, while the Family Plan has jumped from ₦1,700 to ₦2,400. These changes will take effect starting from each user’s next billing cycle.

YouTube Premium offers users an ad-free experience, background play, access to YouTube Music, and uninterrupted viewing. The company stated that the price hike was necessary to “maintain and improve service quality” and to “support creators” who rely on the platform for income.

A Broader Trend Across Africa

South Africa is also seeing similar price changes. As of mid-2025, the Individual Plan will cost R81.99 (up from R71.99), the Family Plan rises to R149.99, and YouTube Music subscribers will now pay R64.99, up from R59.99.

These hikes follow Google’s February 2025 increase in Google One cloud storage fees across Nigeria, Ghana, Egypt, and Tanzania. Nigerian users of Google One have seen their monthly 100GB plan cost rise from ₦390 to ₦950 and now ₦1,900, while higher-tier storage plans also reflect steeper adjustments. The 200GB plan now costs ₦2,900 (up from ₦1,200), and the 2TB plan moved to ₦9,900 (from ₦4,900).

A Tougher Climate for Digital Access

The subscription increases come at a time when many Nigerians are still adjusting to the subscription economy. Unlike other markets where subscriptions are the norm, the model is still gaining traction in Nigeria, making price sensitivity a significant factor.

In an economy weighed down by inflation, currency devaluation, and declining purchasing power, the ₦600 bump in the YouTube Premium individual plan and ₦700 for the family plan has left users questioning its affordability. Young users, students, freelancers, and remote workers, many of whom rely on YouTube for learning, research, or business, now face tougher choices.

“We’re just getting used to the idea of paying monthly for digital services, and now they’re making it more expensive,” said Ijeoma Adebayo, a freelance designer in Lagos. “Every naira counts these days.”

What This Means for Creators and Entrepreneurs

For digital entrepreneurs and content creators, the fee hike translates to higher overheads. Those who depend on YouTube Premium for an uninterrupted experience, background play during research, or access to exclusive tools will now pay more to maintain productivity.

Coupled with earlier Google One increases, which are essential for storing high-resolution videos, creative files, and collaborative documents, these rising costs could affect the sustainability of many small digital businesses.

Africa: The New Digital Frontier

As more Africans embrace digital platforms, global tech giants increasingly view the continent not just as a consumer base but as a critical revenue frontier. However, many argue that these pricing models don’t reflect local economic realities.

While companies like YouTube say the increases will support platform sustainability and content creators, analysts warn that the mismatch between global pricing and local income levels could widen the digital divide. More users may be forced to revert to ad-supported free versions or seek out unofficial workarounds.

A Call for Localised Solutions

With ongoing inflation, data hosting costs, and currency instability, further subscription increases are expected in the future. Analysts recommend that global platforms explore local partnerships, flexible pricing tiers, or regional subsidies to avoid pricing users out of digital ecosystems.

As the digital landscape in Africa evolves, platforms that adapt to local economic conditions will be better positioned to retain users and build long-term loyalty.

For now, Nigerian users are left doing the math, deciding whether the perks of premium access outweigh the pinch on their pockets.

New YouTube Premium Prices in Nigeria (As of April 2025)

Google One New Prices in Nigeria (2025)