Nigeria’s data consumption increased by almost 47 percent year-on-year, reaching about 1.66 million terabytes in July 2026.
Gatekeepers News reports that Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) disclosed this in a communiqué issued after the Nigeria Digital Connectivity Investment Forum, held in Abuja on September 29 and 30.
According to the commission, Nigerians consumed about 1.66 million terabytes of data in July 2026, up from approximately 1.13 million terabytes recorded in July 2025.
Aminu Maida, executive vice-chairman and chief executive officer of the NCC, said the sharp increase showed that demand for connectivity was growing faster than network capacity.
He said sustaining the growth would require continued investment in telecommunications infrastructure to expand network capacity and improve the experience of existing users.
The NCC said subscriptions could rise from about 195 million currently to 350 million within the next 10 to 15 years. It added that emerging technologies, particularly cloud computing and artificial intelligence, would further increase demand for networks, data centres and electricity.
Broadband Penetration At 57.4%
Despite the rising demand for data, the NCC said mobile broadband currently covers about 90 percent of Nigerians, while broadband penetration stands at 57.4 percent, below the government’s 70 percent target.
The commission also said smartphone ownership was only about 27 percent, highlighting a gap between network availability and actual usage.
It identified device affordability, digital skills and trust as major barriers to wider digital adoption.
“Device affordability, digital skills and trust are the binding constraints, and coverage investment alone cannot close them,” the NCC said.
Power, Connectivity Constraints
The commission also identified inadequate power supply and the cost of inland connectivity as major challenges limiting investment in digital infrastructure.
It said power was particularly critical for tower companies, while high inland connectivity costs were restricting data-centre and internet-service investment largely to major metropolitan areas.
The NCC called for the acceleration of Project BRIDGE, the proposed 90,000-kilometre national fibre backbone, to address gaps in middle-mile connectivity.
It also urged state governments to reduce and harmonise right-of-way and site permit charges and shorten approval timelines.
According to the commission, 12 states now charge zero right-of-way fees, compared with seven in December 2024.
NCC further called for long-term naira financing for telecommunications infrastructure, noting that digital infrastructure can have an asset life of 20 to 30 years and therefore requires financing that matches its long-term nature.
