Mobile internet usage is exploding in Nigeria, and telecom giants MTN and Airtel are cashing in—despite economic hardship among subscribers.
Data Now a Major Revenue Driver for Nigerian Telcos
Nigeria’s top telecom operators, MTN Nigeria and Airtel Nigeria, are reporting record-breaking data revenues as mobile internet becomes essential in everyday life. Both telcos recorded double-digit growth in data revenue during Q2 2025, reflecting a sharp increase in mobile data usage.
- MTN Nigeria’s data revenue surged by 85.6% to ₦701 billion, up from ₦377 billion in Q2 2024.
- Airtel Nigeria’s data revenue jumped by 60.3% to ₦260 billion ($168 million) from ₦185.4 billion ($117 million) a year earlier.
Nigerians Are Consuming More Data Than Ever
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) confirmed that May 2025 saw the highest monthly data consumption on record: 1.04 million terabytes.
Both telcos attribute the boom to increased smartphone penetration and shifting user habits:
- MTN’s average data usage per subscriber rose 26.3% YoY to 13.2GB/month.
- Airtel reported smartphone data usage grew to 11.8GB/month, up from 9.9GB.
Key Stats:
| Telco | Avg. Data Use (2025) | Growth Rate |
|---|---|---|
| MTN | 13.2GB/month | +26.3% |
| Airtel | 11.8GB/month | +27.3% |
Shift in Consumer Behaviour: Data Over Everything
For many Nigerians, data is now more vital than food. The rise in short-form video platforms such as TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube, combined with remote work and online communication tools, is driving this demand.
“I don’t even remember the last time I made a traditional phone call,” says Abraham Aduloju, a 28-year-old content creator in Lagos. “Everything I do is online—Zoom, WhatsApp, video uploads. I use at least 30GB a week.”
Expert Insights
- Adewale Adeoye, Telecom Analyst: “Autoplay apps like TikTok consume huge bandwidth. Many users now budget for data like they would for food.”
- Presley Ibadin, CEO, K-Chronos Global Tech: “Data is now a survival tool. People may not have food, but they’ll buy data to reach out for help.”
MTN and Airtel Ramp Up Infrastructure Investment
To handle the soaring demand, both MTN and Airtel are investing heavily in network upgrades and 5G expansion.
MTN Nigeria (H1 2025):
- Capex: ₦565.7 billion (↑ 288.4% YoY)
- New 4G Sites: 240+
- Projects: Fibre expansion, new data centre, improved QoS for 84M+ users
Airtel Nigeria (Q2 2025):
- Capex: $39 million (↑ 1.7% YoY)
- Plans: Double 5G investments, expand rural coverage, upgrade data centres
- Goal: Leverage 2Africa Submarine Cable for increased bandwidth
What’s Fueling Nigeria’s Data Boom?
Core Drivers:
- Smartphone penetration
- TikTok, YouTube, and social media habits
- Online meetings (Zoom, Microsoft Teams)
- Remote work culture
- Data-based voice and video calls
- Mobile gaming and streaming
Final Thoughts
Data is no longer a luxury in Nigeria—it’s a necessity. MTN and Airtel’s financial results prove that Nigerians are prioritising internet access, even amid inflation and rising living costs.
For telecom operators, this shift represents not only a revenue goldmine but also a call to action: invest in quality, reliability, and rural access to ensure sustainable growth in Nigeria’s booming digital economy.
Keywords:
- MTN Nigeria data revenue
- Airtel Nigeria data consumption
- Nigeria’s internet usage 2025
- Telecom investments in Nigeria
- Mobile data growth in Nigeria
- 5G expansion MTN Airtel
