Nigeria’s Internet Growth Stalls Amid Data Cost Surge

Nigeria’s telecom sector is navigating turbulent waters, with internet penetration edging up to 48.15% in April 2025 from 47.73% in March, according to the latest figures from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). While the marginal increase reflects ongoing connectivity efforts, the broader picture shows a sector under pressure.

The modest growth is being undermined by declining data usage for a second straight month, as rising tariffs and worsening economic conditions compel users to limit their internet consumption. These dynamics put Nigeria’s ambitious National Broadband Plan (2020–2025) in jeopardy, which aims to hit 70% broadband penetration by the end of 2025, a target now considered increasingly out of reach.

Industry analysts cite high deployment costs, particularly delays and fees tied to obtaining the right-of-way for infrastructure, as significant roadblocks. Only a handful of states have waived these fees, slowing broadband rollout.

NCC data shows that data traffic dropped to 983,283.43 terabytes in April, down from 995,876.10 terabytes in March. This follows a larger drop earlier in the year when usage fell to 893,054.80 terabytes in February, a sharp decline from over one million terabytes recorded in January. At the same time, the sector lost approximately one million internet users.

While March saw a rebound in both usage and subscriber numbers—climbing to 142.05 million users, April ended with a slight dip to 141.99 million, indicating persistent volatility.

Although digital habits, expanding network coverage, and the internet’s importance for learning, business, and social engagement continue to drive demand, rising costs are curbing access. Experts warn that without a focus on affordability, the momentum in Nigeria’s digital transformation could slow dramatically.

April also witnessed a surge in network switching activity, with 6,789 subscribers porting to other networks, up from 3,064 in March, a 121% increase. MTN Nigeria saw the biggest gain with 3,960 new users, followed by Airtel (1,860) and Globacom (966). 9mobile added only three subscribers, a sign of intensifying competition in an increasingly cost-sensitive market.

Additionally, the NCC reported 208,482 active data subscribers across licensed service providers, which likely represents a niche segment of high-usage or enterprise customers.