With 47.73% Spread, Nigeria Still Far from Attaining 70% Broadband Penetration Target
Despite bold projections by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to surpass 70% broadband penetration by the end of 2025, recent data shows Nigeria remains significantly behind this target, recording only 47.73% as of March 2025. With just over 103 million broadband subscriptions, progress has been slow, raising concerns over the feasibility of meeting the ambitious goals set in the Nigeria National Broadband Plan (NNBP) 2020–2025.
The NCC had previously set a benchmark of 50% penetration by the end of 2023, a target that was ultimately missed. While the telecoms sector has contributed robustly to Nigeria’s GDP — hitting 16% in Q2 2023 — this economic boost has not translated into equally aggressive broadband expansion. The marginal gains in broadband uptake over the past 15 months suggest a persistent gap between policy expectations and on-ground execution.
From March 2024 to March 2025, broadband penetration rose incrementally — from 43.53% to 47.73% — but the pattern has been inconsistent, with multiple months showing either stagnation or declines. This erratic growth is evident in mid-2024 figures, where penetration even dropped to 41.56% in September before gradually climbing again. The growth rate remains insufficient to close the gap to 70% within the remaining months of 2025.
Telecom stakeholders are increasingly vocal about the challenges. The Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Gbenga Adebayo, emphasized the need for urgent investment in infrastructure, including fibre-optic expansion and network upgrades. Without these, he warned, the industry risks falling short of its digital transformation goals.
To accelerate progress, experts stress the importance of extending broadband access from coastal entry points to inland regions, upgrading microwave-based cell sites to fibre, and investing in fibre-to-the-home connectivity. With time running out, stakeholders agree that only a coordinated, well-funded push can salvage Nigeria’s 2025 broadband ambitions.
Source: This Day