Nigeria Adds 900,000 Internet Users as Broadband Subscribers Reach 120 Million Despite Drop in Data Usage

Nigeria added an estimated 900,000 new internet users in April, pushing broadband subscriptions to a record 120 million and raising broadband penetration to 55.6 per cent, according to the latest industry statistics released by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

The figures mark another significant milestone for Africa’s largest economy and move the country closer to achieving the National Broadband Plan target of 70 per cent penetration.

The latest growth reflects sustained investment in telecommunications infrastructure, including the expansion of fibre optic networks, continued 5G deployment and the activation of 2.29 million new SIM cards in a single month, which increased active mobile subscriptions from 185.7 million to 188 million.

However, the positive headline figures mask an emerging challenge within Nigeria’s digital economy.

Despite more Nigerians gaining access to broadband services, internet data consumption declined, highlighting the growing pressure economic realities are placing on consumers.

NCC data showed internet usage fell to 1.414 million terabytes in April from 1.422 million terabytes recorded in March.

The trend points to a widening gap between improved connectivity and consumers’ ability to afford digital services.

“The industry is dealing with ‘silent connections’ subscribers who exist on the grid but lack the disposable income to actively feed their bandwidth,” noted a telecommunications expert.

Rising inflation, soaring food prices and the impact of recent tariff adjustments are forcing many Nigerians to ration their internet usage more carefully than ever before.

For many households, internet access is no longer an always-on utility but a carefully managed monthly expense.

Consumers are increasingly responding by disabling background data and automatic app updates, avoiding data-intensive video streaming platforms, relying more on text-based messaging instead of voice and video calls, and limiting online activities to essential communication.

Despite weaker data consumption, competition among mobile network operators remains intense.

MTN Nigeria continues to dominate the market with 96 million subscribers, while Airtel Nigeria has strengthened its position through aggressive expansion into underserved rural communities.

Subscriber figures for April stood as follows:

• MTN Nigeria: 96 million subscribers
• Airtel Nigeria: 64.6 million subscribers
• Globacom: 23 million subscribers
• T2 (formerly 9mobile): 3.5 million subscribers

The figures also underline the financial pressures facing telecommunications operators.

Mobile network operators continue to invest billions of naira in capital expenditure to expand coverage and comply with regulatory requirements, even as average revenue per user comes under increasing strain.

The sector also faces persistent infrastructure challenges, including frequent fibre optic cable cuts linked to unregulated road construction, vandalism of remote base stations and rising energy costs driven by expensive diesel supplies.

Recently, MTN sought to address growing consumer concerns about rapid data depletion, explaining that increased consumption is often not the result of data theft but a consequence of faster 4G and 5G speeds, higher media quality settings and background activities on modern smartphones.

The latest NCC figures suggest Nigeria’s digital economy is entering a new phase.

While expanding broadband infrastructure remains critical, the April statistics show that the future of digital inclusion will depend not only on increasing network coverage but also on improving affordability and consumers’ purchasing power.

Reaching 120 million broadband subscribers represents a major achievement, but sustaining meaningful digital participation will require addressing the economic constraints limiting how Nigerians use the internet.