Over half of Nigeria’s population now connected to internet — Report

…as broadband penetration hits 55.67%

Over half of Nigeria’s population are now connected to the Internet via broadband.

This was revealed in the latest industry data released by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

According to the latest data, Nigeria’s broadband penetrative has hit 55.67% with total active telecom subscriptions rising to 188 million.

The steady growth reflects an increasing consumer appetite for quality connectivity, driven largely by digital transformation and a shifting technology landscape.

A breakdown of the numbers reveals that broadband subscriptions have seen sustained momentum, with nearly 3 million Nigerians upgrading to high-speed data plans in recent months.

This surge has elevated broadband penetration by 1.37 percentage points, climbing from 54.30% in March to its current peak of 55.67%.

Reacting, Industry experts have attributed this rapid migration to the proliferation of modern smartphones, the rising demand for data-intensive activities such as video streaming, heavy downloads, and uploads and the expanding footprint of high-capacity cellular infrastructure.

The transition away from legacy networks is becoming more pronounced. Combined, 4G and 5G networks now account for a dominant 58.75% share of the country’s total telecommunications ecosystem, indicating a definitive consumer shift away from older 2G and 3G technologies.

On the broader internet front, total active internet connections across the country have hit 154.7 million. Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) continue to hold the lion’s share of this market, commanding 154.3 million users.

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services account for 220,166 users, while Fixed Wired networks anchored heavily by expanding fiber-to-the-home services like MTN FibreX sustain a strong presence with 156,662 connections.

As Nigeria aims to diversify its economy away from oil dependency, a robust ICT sector is serving as a primary pillar for growth. With over half of the population now connected via broadband, the digital economy is expected to see a boost, particularly across e-commerce, fintech, and digital entrepreneurship, establishing a firmer foundation for the country’s technology-driven future.