Broadband Penetration Rises 45.61% Amid Surging Internet Usage

Nigeria’s broadband penetration has climbed to 45.61 percent in January 2025, up from 44.43 per cent in December 2024, reflecting the country’s growing internet adoption and digital transformation efforts.

The latest data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) shows that broadband subscriptions increased to 98.87 million, a rise from 96.32 million recorded the previous month.

This growth is expected to continue, driven by initiatives such as the National Broadband Alliance for Nigeria (NBAN), a strategic move aimed at expanding broadband access and enabling the country to capitalise on Africa’s $300 billion digital economy potential.

The surge in broadband penetration is complemented by a massive increase in internet usage, which reached an all-time high of 1,000,930.6 terabytes (TB) in January 2025. This represents a 93.35 per cent increase from the 517,670.15 TB recorded in January 2023.

Industry analysts attribute this spike to the increasing adoption of digital services, streaming platforms, and social media engagement. According to the CEO of MTN Nigeria, Karl Toriola, “Social media and streaming content have been crucial in driving data consumption.”

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The report also highlighted that mobile internet subscribers grew to 141.65 million in January 2025, up from 138.77 million in December 2024. Additionally, fixed-wired internet connections saw a modest increase, rising to 14,053 subscribers from 12,869 recorded in December, 2024.
Nigeria’s telecom sector is also witnessing an increased shift in customer preferences, with mobile number portability skyrocketing by 190 per cent. In January 2025, 8,708 subscribers switched networks, compared to 2,998 in December 2024, indicating growing dissatisfaction with service quality and pricing.

For instance, MTN, Airtel, and Globacom benefited from the surge in porting: MTN Nigeria gained 5,551 new subscribers while losing 1,188; Airtel added 2,414 porting customers and lost only 399 and Globacom recorded 736 incoming subscribers and 405 outgoing.

Analysts suggested that network quality, competitive pricing, and improved customer service from rival operators are key factors driving this shift.
The overall telecom sector experienced a strong rebound in January 2025, as active mobile subscriptions increased to 169.3 million, up from 164.9 million in December 2024.

MTN Nigeria, the country’s largest telecom provider, added 2.9 million new users, bringing its total to 87.5 million subscribers. Airtel expanded its user base from 56.6 million in December 2024 to 57.6 million in January 2025 and Globacom saw a modest increase, rising from 20.1 million to 20.5 million users.

The NCC noted that the National Identification Number (NIN)-SIM linkage enforcement in 2024 caused massive SIM disconnections, disrupting the market. Many affected users are now returning to the telecom space, choosing different networks.

With broadband penetration rising steadily and internet usage reaching new highs, Nigeria is on track to further integrate into Africa’s digital economy. The National Broadband Alliance for Nigeria (NBAN) is expected to play a pivotal role in ensuring deeper internet access across the country.

The McKinsey report suggests that improving broadband access across Africa could add $300 billion to the continent’s GDP by 2025, with Nigeria positioned to benefit significantly across key sectors like agriculture, education, healthcare, and finance.

Experts predict that telecom competition will intensify, leading to further improvements in service quality, pricing, and accessibility. The next phase of Nigeria’s digital transformation will likely see increased investments in 5G networks, rural connectivity, and smart city initiatives.