Nigeria Records Improved Internet Quality Amid Low 5G Uptake

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has released its latest network performance report, showing improvements in internet service quality across the country, but highlighting a significant gap in the adoption and availability of 5G services in major cities.

The report shows that while median mobile download speeds improved in the review period due to increased infrastructure investments, many users with 5G-enabled devices are still unable to access the service because network availability remains limited.

According to the report, one of the most striking findings is the widening gap between device readiness and actual network access in the country’s largest commercial centres, particularly Lagos and Abuja.

The NCC noted that although more Nigerians are purchasing 5G-compatible smartphones, most of these devices continue to rely on older 4G and 3G networks because 5G coverage has not expanded at the same pace.

Data from the report indicates that only 27 per cent to 31 per cent of 5G-capable devices are effectively using 5G services in major urban centres, despite strong consumer demand and increasing handset penetration.

The Commission described the trend as a utilisation gap, where device readiness significantly exceeds network availability.
“Most 5G-capable devices are still falling back to older networks due to limited service reach, even in major commercial hubs where demand is strongest,” the report stated.

The regulator noted that this represents both a challenge and a strategic opportunity for operators, especially as the volume of 5G-ready devices in Nigeria continues to grow.

It added that although the effective utilisation rates in Lagos and Abuja remain unchanged from the previous reporting period, the actual number of devices capable of connecting to 5G has increased substantially.

This means that while the percentage of users accessing 5G remains static, the absolute number of consumers waiting for improved coverage is rising rapidly.

Industry analysts say the data points to a supply-demand mismatch that could slow the country’s digital ambitions if operators fail to accelerate rollout.

The NCC identified several high-priority locations for network expansion, including cultural centres, hospitals, educational institutions and transport hubs, where consumer demand for high-speed connectivity is already established but coverage remains patchy.

Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Aminu Maida, said the regulator’s use of independent consumer data offers a clearer picture of actual user experience.

“The data shows clear and steady improvements in network quality, particularly in median download speeds across both urban and rural areas, but also highlights areas where service availability has not kept pace with technology adoption,” he said.

The report further shows that 4G remains Nigeria’s dominant broadband network, accounting for the majority of active mobile data connections, while 5G remains largely concentrated in high-density districts of Lagos, Abuja and a few other state capitals.

While Nigeria currently has over 224 million active mobile lines, with the telecom sector contributing more than 14 per cent to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) making improved network quality critical to sectors such as digital finance, healthcare, logistics and online commerce.

However, the findings reinforce concerns that infrastructure deployment remains uneven particularly outside core urban districts, even as consumer appetite for advanced connectivity grows.

Meanwhile, the number of 5G-capable devices are expected to rise further in 2026, even as the NCC said operators must scale infrastructure investment to close the service gap and ensure that Nigeria’s transition to next-generation connectivity does not leave millions of users stuck on legacy networks.