Nigeria’s Telecom Sector Ends 2025 on Mixed Note, Eyes Better 2026
Nigeria’s telecommunications industry, a critical pillar of the country’s digital economy, recorded a mixed performance in 2025 marked by network expansion, rising broadband adoption, and persistent service disruptions.
With over 177 million active telecom subscribers, Nigerians are entering 2026 with heightened expectations for improved network quality, better internet reliability, and enhanced consumer experience across voice, data, and digital services.
Reliable telecom services remain essential to daily life and business operations, supporting digital payments, voice calls, messaging, streaming, and general internet use across the economy.
Tariff Hike Raises Consumer Expectations
Following the 50% telecom tariff adjustment in 2025, subscribers demanded better value for money, calling for reduced data depletion, improved call quality, and more consistent internet speeds.
For Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and Internet Service Providers (ISPs), sustained infrastructure investment and affordable service delivery have become critical expectations as consumers seek justification for higher costs.
Broadband Penetration Crosses 50% Milestone
The industry closed 2025 on a positive note, with broadband penetration reaching 50.58%, crossing the halfway mark for the first time, according to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
However, the achievement fell short of the 70% target set by the National Broadband Plan (2020–2025), largely due to slow fibre rollout, infrastructure vandalism, and unreliable power supply.
4G Dominates as 5G Grows Slowly
By the end of 2025:
- 4G networks accounted for nearly 60% of mobile connections
- 2G declined to 38.29%, reflecting gradual technology migration
- 5G adoption stood at 3.60%, showing steady but slow growth
The dominance of 4G highlights rising smartphone penetration and increased internet usage nationwide. A June 2026 report by The African Exponent estimated Nigeria’s internet penetration at 85%, driven by its large population and growing smartphone base.
Industry projections suggest that about 140 million Nigerians owned smartphones by the end of 2025.
Improved Speeds but Rising Network Pressure
Between December 2024 and December 2025:
- Median 4G download speeds increased by 25%, from 16 Mbps to 20 Mbps
- Average 4G download speeds rose by 18%, from 28 Mbps to 33 Mbps
The NCC said 4G accounts for 52% of mobile broadband connections nationwide, underscoring its role as Nigeria’s primary broadband technology.
Total internet subscribers climbed to 144.7 million, despite a temporary dip to 138.7 million in July 2025.
Outages, Fibre Cuts, and Vandalism Persist
Despite progress, 2025 was marred by widespread service disruptions. The NCC reported:
- 19,384 fibre cuts between January and August 2025
- 3,241 cases of equipment theft
- Over 19,000 incidents of denied access to telecom sites
MTN Nigeria disclosed 760 fibre cuts in July 2025 alone and more than 13,700 fibre cut incidents over 18 months, severely impacting service availability.
NCC Pledges Better Quality of Service in 2026
In a New Year address, NCC Executive Vice Chairman, Aminu Maida, reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to improving Quality of Service (QoS) across the industry.
He said the NCC will intensify QoS monitoring to deliver clearer voice calls, more stable data performance, and improved customer care in 2026.
The regulator also pledged deeper collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps to protect telecom infrastructure nationwide.
Industry Experts Express Optimism for 2026
During a discussion on Technext’s X Space, industry experts expressed confidence that service quality will improve in 2026.
Abioye Tomiwa, Regional Manager at ZTE, said operators are actively upgrading infrastructure and core network equipment.
“These upgrades are ongoing and done in phases. From what I’m seeing, things are already getting better, and Nigerians will notice improved service quality in more locations before the end of the year,” he said.
Outlook for 2026
As Nigeria enters 2026, expectations are high for stronger networks, fewer outages, and improved internet reliability. While challenges remain, increased infrastructure investment, tighter regulation, and enhanced security collaboration could help deliver a better telecom experience for millions of Nigerians in the year ahead.
