Nigeria’s data consumption increased by almost 47 percent between July 2025 and July 2026, reflecting growing demand for digital services and putting additional pressure on the country’s telecommunications infrastructure.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) said data consumption rose from about 1.13 million terabytes in July 2025 to approximately 1.66 million terabytes in July 2026. Aminu Maida, executive vice chairman and chief executive officer of the NCC, disclosed the figures at the Nigeria Digital Connectivity Investment Forum held in Abuja on September 29 and 30. Maida said the growth showed the need for continued investment in telecommunications infrastructure as more Nigerians rely on digital services for communication, business, education and other activities.
“Keeping pace will require sustained investment, both to expand networks and to improve the experience of people already connected,” he said.
The NCC said the increasing demand for data is also being driven by the expected growth in telecommunications subscriptions, with participants at the forum projecting that subscriptions could rise from about 195 million to 350 million over the next 10 to 15 years. The commission added that emerging technologies such as cloud computing and artificial intelligence would further increase demand for networks, data centres and reliable electricity.
“Cloud computing and artificial intelligence will place further demand on networks, data centres and, above all, power,” the NCC said.
Despite the growth in digital usage, the commission identified several challenges that could limit the expansion of Nigeria’s digital economy. According to the NCC, power supply and middle mile connectivity remain major obstacles to the deployment of digital infrastructure across the country. The commission said mobile broadband currently covers about 90 percent of Nigerians, while broadband penetration stands at 57.4 percent. Smartphone ownership, however, remains relatively low at about 27 percent. The NCC said the country’s broadband penetration remains below the national target of 70 percent.
It also identified the cost of devices, limited digital skills and lack of trust as key barriers preventing more Nigerians from fully participating in the digital economy.
“Device affordability, digital skills and trust are the binding constraints, and coverage investment alone cannot close them,” the commission said.
The NCC also noted that telecommunications and information services contributed 9.72 percent to Nigeria’s real gross domestic product in the second quarter of 2026. Participants at the forum called for stronger investment in digital infrastructure, improved electricity supply and more consistent policies to support the growth of the telecommunications sector. The commission said the federal government should accelerate Project BRIDGE, a planned 90,000 kilometre national fibre backbone, to address gaps in middle mile connectivity.State governments were also urged to reduce and harmonise right of way charges and site permit fees while making approval processes faster.
The NCC said reforms in some states had already produced significant growth in fibre deployment, with improvements ranging from 22 percent to 95 percent.It added that 12 states now charge no right of way fees, compared with seven states in December 2024. The commission further said investors and development finance institutions should provide longer term financing for digital infrastructure projects, particularly because such infrastructure can have an asset life of 20 to 30 years. It said stakeholders also agreed to secure funding within six months for community owned, renewable powered rural networks in areas without connectivity.
The NCC said these projects would involve the Universal Service Provision Fund, state governments and the Rural Electrification Agency. The commission maintained that sustained investment, improved infrastructure and supportive policies would be necessary to meet Nigeria’s rapidly growing demand for digital services.
