MTN Nigeria and Airtel Nigeria have reported record-breaking earnings from data services in Q2 2025, driven by skyrocketing mobile internet usage. MTN’s data revenue surged by 85.6% year-on-year to ₦701 billion, while Airtel’s grew by 60.3% to ₦260 billion. These figures highlight the growing dependence on mobile data in Nigeria, with data now accounting for a significant portion of total revenue for both telecom giants.
Despite recent price hikes, Nigerians continue to consume massive volumes of data, according to NCC reports. May 2025 saw the highest monthly data usage since early 2023, at over 1.04 million terabytes. MTN and Airtel both reported significant year-on-year increases in data traffic and average usage per customer. Smartphone usage is also on the rise, further fueling the upward trend in mobile data consumption.
A shift in digital behavior, especially among younger Nigerians, is powering this data boom. Activities like TikTok scrolling, YouTube streaming, online gaming, and digital meetings have replaced traditional phone calls and media consumption. For many, data is now considered essential for work, communication, and entertainment—even more so than food, as some prioritize topping up their mobile data over daily meals.
To keep pace with rising demand, telecom operators are ramping up infrastructure investments. MTN invested ₦565.7 billion in H1 2025—nearly triple the previous year’s figure—to expand its network and improve service quality. It added new 4G sites, fiber networks, and began building a new data center. Airtel also increased its capex to $39 million in Q2, with plans to fast-track 5G rollout and improve rural connectivity.
Experts say that mobile data has evolved from a luxury to a necessity in Nigeria’s digital-first society. According to industry analysts, even low-income earners are willing to stretch budgets to stay connected, using data as a lifeline for job searches, family communication, and social interaction. However, poor service quality remains a concern, prompting many users to subscribe to multiple networks as a backup.