Telecommunications giant, Airtel Nigeria, has announced significant new investments to accelerate the deployment of 5G infrastructure across the country as part of its strategy to meet the surging demand for data and digital services.
The company’s Chief Executive Officer, Dinesh Balsingh, disclosed this during a media roundtable held in Lagos, where he revealed that Airtel is poised to ramp up its 5G rollout in the coming months.
“Over the next few months, we will roll out 5G network much more rapidly, that I can assure you,” Balsingh stated.
Despite three telecom operators — MTN, Mafab, and Airtel — holding 5G licences in Nigeria, 5G penetration remains low, standing at just 3.07% as of June 2025, according to the latest statistics from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
Balsingh acknowledged this challenge but said Airtel’s expanded investment in infrastructure is set to change the landscape.
Highlighting the explosive growth of data usage in Nigerian cities, particularly Lagos, Balsingh said the convergence of urbanisation, digitisation, and mobile-first lifestyles is putting enormous pressure on existing telecom infrastructure.
“Cities like Lagos are growing at lightning speed — more people, more businesses, more devices,” he said.
“At Airtel, we recognise that data is the new oxygen. That’s why we’re investing heavily in 5G and fibre — to build a smart, scalable network that can carry the weight of Nigeria’s digital future.”
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He stressed that 5G isn’t merely about faster internet speeds but is also about enabling education, healthcare, commerce, and other sectors through reliable, high-capacity connectivity.
Beyond infrastructure, Balsingh highlighted a critical barrier to 5G adoption: the high cost of 5G-enabled devices. He noted that while Airtel is expanding 5G coverage in major cities and already offers near-100% 4G coverage, access remains limited due to device affordability.
“5G is not only about telecom infrastructure. It’s an ecosystem where devices and networks must come together.
Rolling out the network is important, but it’s just as crucial to ensure that consumers have access to 5G-enabled phones.”
To address this, Airtel is working with device manufacturers to reduce the cost of smartphones and exploring device financing models to make next-gen connectivity more accessible for everyday Nigerians.
According to NCC data, 4G penetration in Nigeria stood at 50.80% as of June 2025, even though operators claim near-complete 4G coverage. Yet, 38.47% of mobile connections remain on 2G, highlighting the persistent gap in access due largely to the cost of compatible devices.
Analysts argue that while telcos have built extensive infrastructure, many Nigerians remain unable to benefit from high-speed services due to the financial barrier posed by device prices.
Industry watchers believe that Airtel’s strategy — combining aggressive infrastructure rollout with collaborative efforts to lower device costs — could help bridge the access gap and boost 5G adoption in the coming years.
If successful, these efforts will not only expand access to faster internet but also support economic inclusion, digital learning, e-commerce, and remote healthcare services across Nigeria — laying the groundwork for a more connected and digitally empowered population.