The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has disclosed that monthly mobile data consumption in Nigeria surged by about 140 per cent between January 2023 and November 2025, rising from roughly 518,000 terabytes to more than 1.23 million terabytes.
In its New Year message, the telecoms regulator said the sharp increase in data usage reflects Nigeria’s rapidly expanding digital economy but warned that the growing demand is placing significant pressure on network infrastructure nationwide.
The commission acknowledged that many subscribers continue to experience inconsistent quality of service, particularly congestion in high-traffic areas, service outages linked to power supply challenges and infrastructure damage, as well as delays in complaint resolution.
“Operators, in turn, continue to face deep-rooted challenges, including rising operating costs, energy and logistics constraints, right-of-way issues, and persistent vandalism and theft of telecommunications infrastructure,” the NCC said.
“These realities affect both the pace of expansion and the quality of service delivery.”
Despite the challenges, the NCC reported notable growth in broadband adoption across the country. Broadband subscriptions rose to 109.6 million in December 2025, up from 96.3 million recorded in December 2024.
According to the commission, renewed investment momentum and expanded network deployment drove measurable progress across the sector over the past year.
“Over the year, operators deployed over 2,800 new and upgraded sites, strengthening both coverage and capacity nationwide,” the NCC said.
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“As a result, broadband subscriptions grew by about 6 per cent from roughly 96.3 million to over 109.6 million between December 2024 and December 2025, lifting broadband penetration from 44.43 per cent to 50.58 per cent.”
While admitting that network performance is not yet optimal in all locations, the NCC said tangible improvements were recorded in 2025.
Median 4G mobile download speeds increased by about 24 per cent, rising from approximately 16 megabits per second (Mbps) to 20 Mbps. Average 4G download speeds also improved by 18 per cent, from about 28 Mbps to 33 Mbps.
The commission noted that 4G technology remains the backbone of mobile broadband in Nigeria, accounting for about 52 per cent of all mobile connections, and therefore best reflects the everyday experience of most users.
“This expansion was underpinned by stronger network foundations, with 4G population coverage consolidating at about 85 per cent and 5G expanding to roughly 13 per cent of the population and continuing to grow,” the NCC said.
“Together, these gains mark steady progress and set the stage for rising digital use and higher expectations for network performance and reliability.”
Looking ahead, the NCC assured Nigerians of improved voice quality and more consistent data performance in 2026. Other expectations outlined by the commission include fewer avoidable service disruptions, quicker restoration during outages, prompt refunds for failed recharges, simpler and more transparent tariffs, and a safer, more resilient internet ecosystem.
According to the NCC, its regulatory focus in 2026 will be driven by outcomes that directly impact consumers, delivered through clear rules, active monitoring and consistent enforcement.