Nigeria records 1.04m terabytes data use amid drop in internet subscriptions — NCC

Data consumption by Nigerian telecom subscribers surged to a record 1.04 million terabytes in May 2025, even as the number of internet subscriptions across the country declined, according to newly released statistics from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

The May figure represents the highest monthly data usage recorded since the NCC began publishing such metrics in January 2023. It surpassed the 983,283 terabytes consumed in April 2025 and the previous record of 1 million terabytes posted in January 2025.

Despite the record-breaking data consumption, total internet subscriptions across all platforms — including mobile, fixed, wired, Internet Service Providers (ISPs), and Voice over IP (VoIP) — dipped slightly in May, falling to 141.5 million from 141.9 million in April.

The decline is largely attributed to the recent 50% hike in data prices implemented by all telecom operators in response to inflationary pressures and increased operational costs.

Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), who dominate Nigeria’s internet access market, saw a combined drop in subscriptions from 141.4 million in April to 141 million in May.

MTN Nigeria, the country’s largest telecom operator, lost 258,313 active subscriptions, reducing its subscriber base to 90.2 million from 90.5 million.

9mobile, which recently signed a landmark infrastructure-sharing deal with MTN, shed 291,214 subscribers, shrinking its base from 2.9 million to 2.6 million.

Airtel was the month’s top gainer, adding 342,597 subscribers, growing its base from 58.5 million to 58.9 million.

Globacom maintained a flat trajectory, keeping its subscriber base steady at 20.6 million.

Despite the losses, MTN retained its dominance with 52.33% market share, followed by Airtel with 34.17%, Globacom with 11.96%, and 9mobile trailing at 1.55%.

READ ALSO: 9mobile, MTN confirm roaming partnership, set for nationwide rollout in July

The marginal decline in total active lines also affected Nigeria’s teledensity, which dropped slightly to 79.65% in May, down from 79.78% in April.

Teledensity, which measures the number of telephone connections for every 100 people, is based on a national population estimate of 216 million.

Telecom industry analyst Jide Oguntade noted that while subscriber numbers are under pressure due to pricing, overall data use continues to climb as Nigerians rely more heavily on digital platforms for communication, business, and entertainment.

“This divergence between rising consumption and shrinking subscriptions highlights the elasticity of demand in Nigeria’s digital ecosystem. Users are prioritizing data despite higher costs, which signals deepening digital integration,” he said.

Industry stakeholders suggest that unless data prices are reviewed or affordability improves, the decline in subscription numbers could persist — even as usage metrics soar — driven by higher per-user consumption and increased demand for streaming, social media, and online services.