Nigeria’s monthly mobile data consumption has risen by about 140 percent over the past three years, climbing from roughly 518,000 terabytes in January 2023 to more than 1.23 million terabytes by November 2025, according to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
In its New Year message, the regulator said rising demand is placing significant pressure on telecom networks, even as investments improve coverage and performance.
Broadband subscriptions increased to 109.6 million in December 2025 from 96.3 million a year earlier, lifting broadband penetration to 50.58 percent. The NCC said operators deployed more than 2,800 new and upgraded sites over the year.
The Commission reported improvements in network performance, with median 4G download speeds rising by 24 percent to about 20 Mbps. However, challenges persist, including power outages, infrastructure vandalism and congestion in high-traffic areas.
Looking ahead, the NCC said its 2026 focus will be on better service quality, transparent tariffs, faster complaint resolution and expanded coverage in underserved areas. Operators were urged to invest in network resilience, simplify pricing and improve customer care, while the regulator pledged firm enforcement to protect consumers.
