SNAPSHOT
- Active Voice Subscriptions: 173.54 million
- Teledensity: 80.05%
- Broadband Subscriptions: 106.97 million
- Broadband Penetration: 49.34%
- Internet Subscribers (GSM): 140.36 million
- Data Usage: 1.15 million terabytes
- Telecoms Contribution to GDP (Q2 2025): 9.2%
- 4G Market Share: 51.6% | 5G: 3.4%
Nigeria’s telecommunications industry maintained strong performance through the third quarter of 2025, with active voice subscriptions rising to 173.54 million in September, from 171.57 million in August, according to the latest industry statistics released by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
The data also showed that teledensity, which represents the number of active telephone lines per 100 inhabitants, stood at 80.05% during the month, slightly up from 79.14% in August, reflecting gradual subscriber additions across major mobile network operators.
The new data showed that telecom operators connected additional 569,538 users to internet across their various networks, while broadband penetration recorded uptick by 10 basis points to 49.34%, representing 106.97 million connections to at least 3G network.
Government renews digital agenda
The latest data came amid renewed agenda by the Federal Government of Nigeria to deepen access to telecommunications services in the country.
The government’s plans, according to the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Br. Bosun Tijani, include expansion of backbone infrastructure for digital economy to unserved and underserved regions.
Speaking recently in Ogun State, the minister reiterated the ambitious plan of the government to deploy additional 90,000 kilometres of fibre optic cable which serves a critical asset for high-speed internet deployment.
He said: “The President decided that as a nation, we will invest in 90,000 kilometers of fibre optic network across this country. Every corner of our nation will be covered with fibre optic cables.”
He disclosed that the World Bank has approved $500 million for the broadband project, describing it as the largest in the bank’s portfolio. “There’s no project as big as that project in the portfolio of the World Bank,” he said.
Tijani revealed plans to train 5,000 young Nigerians on fibre technology, splicing, and deployment in partnership with operators such as Coleman, the company that just launched largest fibre optic cable manufacturing facility in West Africa. “This is something that will be starting in about two to three months,” he said.
The minister noted that improved connectivity would enhance productivity across key sectors.
“In Brazil, farmers use internet and satellite technology for precision farming. They end up saving 95% on the cost. That would be impossible for me to achieve without connectivity,” he said.
MTN, Airtel lead market with over 148m lines combined
The breakdown of active GSM connections revealed that MTN Nigeria maintained its leadership with 90.33 million subscribers, representing 52.12% market share, followed by Airtel with 58.47 million or 33.74% share.
While Globacom now serves 21.39 million active connections on it network to control 12.34% of the market, T2 (formally 9mobile) maintains the least market share of 1.8%, with 3.11 million active subscribers on its network. For T2 however, the performance is an improvement on the 2.73 million customers it served in August.
Combined, the GSM segment accounted for over 99% of the total market, underscoring the continued dominance of mobile connectivity in Nigeria’s voice communication landscape.
Broadband at all-time high
The NCC data further indicated that broadband subscriptions climbed to 106.97 million in September 2025, translating to a broadband penetration rate of 49.34%, compared to 48.81% in August.
Analysis of historical data showed that this is the highest broadband penetration figure Nigeria has ever recorded, even as this remains a far cry from the 70% penetration target by the end of December 2025, as embodied in the National Broadband Plan 2020-2025.
Similarly, active internet users via GSM networks grew to 140.36 million, signaling sustained demand for data services as more Nigerians embrace digital platforms and smartphones for work, education, and entertainment.
Despite the recorded increases in internet and broadband connections, data consumption moderated marginally month-on-month, from 1.152 million terabytes (TB) in August to 1.15 million terabytes in September.
4G still dominates; 5G gaining ground gradually
In terms of network technology, 4G accounted for the largest share of mobile connections, representing 51.6% of active users in September.
2G networks followed with 38.4%, while 3G and 5G held 6.6% and 3.4% market shares respectively.
The figures indicate that 5G adoption is gradually expanding, supported by ongoing infrastructure rollout by operators since its commercial launch in 2022. Operators have also committed over a trillion naira to network expansion and upgrade since the beginning of this year, according to authorities.
Telecoms remain a key economic contributor
The NCC report showed that despite a rebasing effect on national accounts, the telecom industry remains a key driver of the Nigerian economy, contributeing 9.2% to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the second quarter of 2025, up from 8.5% in Q1.
The sector’s share of GDP had previously averaged between 13% and 16% in 2023, before the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) updated its GDP computation methodology earlier in 2025.
Industry analysts say the steady growth in data usage, broadband expansion, and mobile penetration underscores the telecom sector’s critical role in driving Nigeria’s digital economy, financial inclusion, and job creation.
