Data Consumption Hits 47%, As NCC Seeks More Investment In Digital Infrastructure

Nigeria’s data consumption has increased by about 47 per cent in one year, putting additional pressure on telecommunications infrastructure and prompting the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to call for increased investment to expand network capacity and improve service quality.

The NCC Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Aminu Maida, disclosed this in Abuja, saying that data consumption rose from approximately 1.13 million terabytes in July 2025 to 1.66 million terabytes in July 2026, reflecting the growing dependence of Nigerians and businesses on digital services.

Maida said the growth in demand made sustained investment in network expansion, modernisation and infrastructure resilience necessary, noting that the challenge was no longer limited to connecting unserved communities.

“The investment challenge before us is not merely one of expanding coverage. It is also about ensuring that those already connected enjoy better service quality, improved user experiences, and infrastructure capable of supporting future technologies,” he said.

According to him, Nigeria needs greater participation from local and international investors, development finance institutions and infrastructure providers to meet rising demand and support the expansion of the digital economy.

He said the NCC was also working to improve the investment environment through regulatory measures, including engagements with state governments on Right of Way issues and efforts to strengthen the protection of telecommunications infrastructure.

Maida added that the designation of telecommunications infrastructure as Critical National Information Infrastructure was aimed at strengthening the protection and resilience of networks that have become increasingly important to economic and social activities.

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, said digital infrastructure had become a critical component of Nigeria’s investment environment and international competitiveness.

She noted that the increasing digitisation of commerce meant that reliable connectivity, data infrastructure and secure digital systems were no longer optional requirements for businesses seeking to participate effectively in the modern economy.

Similarly, the Swedish Ambassador to Nigeria, Anna Westerholm, identified connectivity coverage, service quality, affordability and supporting infrastructure as areas requiring further attention to achieve a more inclusive digital economy.

Westerholm also pointed to energy supply, cybersecurity and digital skills as important factors that would determine the sustainability of investments in Nigeria’s digital infrastructure.

Representing the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, the Director of the National Frequency Management Council, Adetunji Adeyemo, said reliable, affordable and resilient digital infrastructure was fundamental to the country’s economic transformation.

He said continued investment would be required to support the growing number of Nigerians and businesses relying on digital platforms and services.

Ookla’s Vice President of Sales for the Middle East and Africa, Tristan Muhader, said the significance of connectivity was extending beyond telecommunications, as digital networks increasingly underpin economic and public activities.

He said network performance and resilience would therefore remain important considerations as more services and transactions moved online.

Maida further disclosed that the NCC was using its Consumer Data Lab to combine network performance information, consumer complaints and operators’ intervention reports to identify connectivity challenges and assess the effectiveness of interventions.

He said the data-driven approach would enable the Commission to identify specific areas requiring investment and monitor whether network improvements were translating into better consumer experience.

The latest increase in data consumption comes as Nigeria’s digital economy continues to expand, with growing demand for broadband connectivity, cloud services, digital payments, online commerce and other data-intensive applications.

With consumption rising from 1.13 million to 1.66 million terabytes within a year, the NCC’s position underscores the need for corresponding expansion in network capacity if infrastructure is to keep pace with the country’s rapidly increasing demand for digital services.