Nigeria’s mobile telecommunications market has officially entered a 4G-dominant era, according to the latest industry statistics released by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in January 2026. The data show that 4G (LTE) subscriptions now account for about 52 per cent of total mobile connections, overtaking legacy technologies as consumers increasingly demand faster and more reliable data services.
By the end of 2025, Nigeria’s telecoms industry recorded approximately 177.4 million active mobile subscribers. Of this total, 2G networks accounted for around 38 per cent, remaining relevant mainly in rural areas and among users of basic feature phones, though the share continues to decline. 3G subscriptions stood at about 6 per cent, reflecting a steady phase-out as users migrate directly to 4G or newer technologies. 5G penetration reached roughly 3.6 per cent, representing the fastest-growing segment in percentage terms, but still limited largely to major urban centres due to the high cost of compatible devices.
The NCC also reported a milestone in broadband development, with national broadband penetration surpassing 50 per cent for the first time, reaching an estimated 50.58 per cent in late 2025. This progress has been driven largely by the rapid expansion of 4G infrastructure nationwide.
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Industry analysts attribute 4G’s dominance to a surge in data consumption, with monthly mobile data usage exceeding 1.24 million terabytes by the end of 2025. Increased video streaming, digital payments, social media engagement, and remote work have significantly boosted demand. In response, telecom operators deployed more than 2,800 new and upgraded sites in 2025, focusing primarily on expanding 4G coverage and improving quality of service. Wider access to affordable 4G-enabled smartphones has also accelerated user migration.
Despite these gains, challenges persist. Nigeria missed its National Broadband Plan 2020–2025 target of 70 per cent penetration, while high right-of-way fees, frequent fibre-optic vandalism, and rising operating costs continue to constrain expansion.
Looking ahead, the NCC’s newly unveiled 2025–2030 Spectrum Roadmap positions 4G as Nigeria’s connectivity backbone, with 5G serving as a high-capacity layer for advanced urban services. To bridge remaining gaps, especially for an estimated 23 million unserved rural residents, the regulator is exploring Direct-to-Device satellite solutions.
MTN Nigeria remains the market leader with over 51 per cent subscriber share, followed by Airtel Nigeria, Globacom, and 9mobile.
