Starlink restores Priority plan in Nigeria’s congested cities at ₦159,000/month

Starlink has reopened access to its Business (Priority) plan in Nigeria’s busiest cities: Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt, offering a partial solution to customers who have faced months of “Sold Out” notices.

The reopening, which began on February 14, 2026, allows subscribers in high-demand urban centres to bypass residential waitlists, but at a premium cost of ₦159,000 ($99.38) monthly, plus hardware that can exceed ₦4 million ($2,500).

Priority plan targets urban demand

Residents in areas like Victoria Island, Ikoyi, Lekki, Surulere, and parts of Abuja, where new residential orders remain blocked, can either upgrade to the Priority plan or join a waitlist. Starlink’s website continues to display the message: “Due to high demand in your area, only Priority Plans are available in your area.”

The Business plan offers 1TB or 2TB of “Priority Data” per month, after which speeds may be deprioritized, though usage remains unlimited. Subscribers also gain priority technical support and a publicly routable IPv4 address, essential for companies running servers, VPNs, or remote monitoring systems.

Hardware costs remain significant. While the standard kit is around ₦590,000 ($369), Starlink recommends its Flat High Performance dish for business customers, ranging from ₦3.15 million ($1,969) to ₦4.1 million ($2,563), built to handle harsh weather and ensure stable throughput in high-demand environments.

Market context and expansion

The move comes as competitors like Amazon, through Project Kuiper, plan to enter Nigeria. Amazon secured a landing permit in January 2026. By reopening the high-priced Priority tier, Starlink retains access to valuable urban markets and converts pent-up demand into revenue.

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Local congestion has been a challenge since late 2024, with an eight-month freeze on new residential orders between November 2024 and June 2025 due to capacity limits and a pricing dispute with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). Despite resuming residential sales at ₦57,000 ($36) monthly, demand continues to outpace supply in major cities.

Global satellite deployment

Starlink’s parent company, SpaceX, has accelerated satellite launches this year. As of February 24, 2026, SpaceX completed 18 Starlink missions, adding roughly 428 satellites into orbit. The active constellation now exceeds 9,700 satellites, nearing 10,000, with several Direct-to-Cell satellites aimed at connecting smartphones directly.

Even with this rapid expansion, local bottlenecks persist. Ground infrastructure, spectrum allocation, and regulatory frameworks continue to shape deployment speed, leaving urban Nigerian customers reliant on higher-priced Business plans for immediate connectivity.