Nigeria’s telecommunications industry has maintained its strong growth trajectory, reaching significant new milestones in the third quarter of this year. According to the latest data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), active voice subscriptions have climbed to an impressive 173.54 million in September, up from 171.57 million the previous month.
More crucially for the nation’s digital future, broadband penetration has also seen a major surge, now standing at 49.34 per cent. This translates to over 106.97 million high-speed internet connections, placing the country significantly closer to achieving the 70 per cent broadband coverage target set out in the National Broadband Plan 2020–2025. This expansion reflects a steady growth in the number of internet subscriptions on GSM networks, which collectively reached 140.36 million during the period.
The new figures emerge as the Federal Government intensifies its efforts to expand digital infrastructure nationwide, a move strongly backed by the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani.
Speaking recently in Ogun State, Dr. Tijani reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to deepening connectivity and digital inclusion across the entire country. He disclosed a major infrastructure project aimed at dramatically boosting the nation’s fibre optic capacity. “The President decided that as a nation, we will invest in 90,000 kilometres of fibre optic network across this country. Every corner of our nation will be covered with fibre optic cables,” the Minister confirmed.
He specified that this massive fibre deployment will be supported by a $500 million World Bank facility, which he noted is the largest of its kind in the bank’s current portfolio. To ensure the country has the skilled workforce to manage this infrastructure, the government is also launching a major skills initiative. “This will begin in about two to three months and will strengthen our broadband ecosystem while creating skilled jobs for Nigerians,” Dr. Tijani announced, referring to plans to train 5,000 young Nigerians in fibre technology, splicing, and deployment in collaboration with local manufacturers.
From an economic standpoint, the steady rise in broadband penetration is a major indicator of economic progress. Research has consistently shown that a ten per cent increase in broadband penetration can drive approximately 1.38 per cent growth in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in developing economies. This rapid expansion in Nigeria is expected to unlock billions of naira in economic output, foster new job creation, and stimulate innovation hubs across the states. High-speed internet is the crucial enabler for the digital economy, facilitating everything from e-commerce and fintech to remote work and e-governance, allowing small businesses to reach national and global markets.
The Nigerian Communications Commission data also confirmed the market structure, with MTN Nigeria retaining its position as the market leader with 90.33 million subscribers, holding over 52 per cent market share. Airtel followed with 58.47 million users, while Globacom and T2 (formerly 9mobile) accounted for the rest, collectively underlining the continuing dominance of mobile connectivity across Nigeria’s communications landscape.
