Nigeria’s broadband penetration fell for the second consecutive month in July 2025, dropping to 48.01% as the number of active high-speed internet users declined, latest data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) shows.
The figures reveal broadband subscriptions fell from 105.7 million in June to 104 million in July. The setback comes despite repeated assurances from the NCC that the country was on track to hit the 70% penetration target set in the National Broadband Plan (NBP 2020–2025) by year-end.
Nigeria has already missed several key milestones in the plan. Broadband penetration was expected to reach 50% by the end of 2023 but stood at 43.71%. The country also failed to meet its 2023 target of ensuring that 70% of telecom subscriptions run on 4G; only 50.85% of the 169.3 million active lines were on 4G as of July 2025.
Analysts say affordability remains a major obstacle. The broadband plan had projected the establishment of a local smartphone assembly plant by 2023 to bring entry-level device prices down to around ₦18,000. However, no such facility exists, and with the naira’s devaluation, the cheapest smartphones now cost upwards of ₦100,000.
The NCC has blamed state-level policies and high Right of Way (RoW) charges for slowing broadband rollout. “Major obstacles to achieving the goals are coming from the states,” said Executive Vice Chairman Dr. Aminu Maida at a recent telecoms forum. Only seven states have waived RoW fees, while operators in others face steep costs to lay fiber infrastructure.
Maida stressed that broadband is “a catalyst for economic growth, driving the digital economy, creating jobs, and fostering entrepreneurship.” He urged states to align regulations to support federal targets, warning that Nigeria risks falling behind in reaping the benefits of digital inclusion.
