In a recent article, young Nigerians opened up about the difficult choices they now have to make in the face of rising data costs : cutting back on food, limiting online activity, and even pausing financial support to family.
For these young Nigerians, mobile data has gone from a lifeline to a luxury. In the wake of this crisis, there’s been a renewed interest in affordable data options, and a name that keeps coming up is Opera Mini.
Opera Mini: Designed for times like this
Opera Mini is a lightweight mobile browser that has been around in Nigeria since the early 2000s. The browser is getting fresh attention for exactly what it’s always done best: saving data.
With its “extreme mode” compression feature, Opera Mini can reduce data usage by up to 90%. That means users can browse more, stream more, and search more while spending significantly less.
This kind of efficiency isn’t just helpful in Nigeria today, it is very essential.
Not just light, but smart
While Opera Mini’s reputation has been built on data savings, the browser is evolving to meet the demands of today’s internet users.
Last week, the company rolled out a major update: free and unlimited access to Aria, Opera’s built-in AI assistant, for all Opera Mini users.
Aria lets users search for real-time information, summarize articles, draft messages, and even generate images directly within the browser. Unlike other AI tools like ChatGPT or Gemini that consume significantly more bandwidth, Aria is designed to function with minimal data.
Powered by Opera’s own Composer AI engine, which integrates tech from OpenAI and Google, Aria is a reliable and low-data alternative for users who still want access to advanced tools without spending much.
Free Data? Yes, please
Since 2020, Opera has partnered with MTN and Airtel to offer 1.5GB of free data per month to users who browse with Opera Mini. And, there is no registration or promo code needed.
In Nigeria today, that kind of offer is no small thing. For some Nigerians, it could mean the difference between being offline and staying connected on the internet for school work, office work, and other activities.
More than a browser
Beyond data and AI, Opera Mini browser includes features like:
- Ad blocking (which also helps conserve data)
- Live football scores
- A built-in MiniPay wallet for easy digital transactions
In a time when Nigerians are cutting back on luxuries — from takeout meals to entertainment — Opera Mini is increasing your options of the things you get to enjoy.
The bigger picture
With the present state of Nigeria’s economy, most Nigerians are on a very tight budget. Opera Mini is clearly designed with budget-conscious users in mind.
For the millions of young Nigerians battling the recent telco tariff hike, it is no longer just about being online. It is about survival. Opera Mini is here to help Nigerians survive with its combination of low data usage, free access to AI, and monthly free data offers.
