Nigeria’s Telecom Subscribers Hit 173 Million as Broadband Expansion Gains Momentum
Nigeria’s telecommunications industry continued its upward trajectory in the third quarter of 2025, with active phone subscriptions reaching 173.54 million in September, up from 171.57 million in August, according to fresh data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). The steady growth underscores the sector’s resilience despite economic challenges and renewed efforts by network operators to improve coverage and service delivery.
The NCC report revealed that internet subscriptions on GSM networks rose to 140.36 million, while the nation’s overall teledensity increased to 80.05 per cent. These figures highlight the country’s growing reliance on digital communication tools as mobile connectivity becomes central to business, education, and everyday life.
Among the major operators, MTN Nigeria maintained its dominance with 90.33 million subscribers, representing 52.1 per cent of the market. Airtel Nigeria followed with 58.47 million users (33.7 per cent), while Globacom recorded 21.39 million (12.3 per cent). T2 Mobile (formerly 9mobile) saw a slight rebound to 3.11 million subscribers (1.8 per cent), reflecting renewed efforts to reclaim lost ground in the competitive market.
Broadband penetration also reached a record 49.34 per cent, up from 48.81 per cent the previous month. The NCC attributed the growth to rising demand for high-speed internet, particularly across urban and semi-urban areas. 4G networks accounted for 51.6 per cent of broadband connections, while 5G adoption climbed to 3.4 per cent, showing gradual progress since its commercial debut in 2022.
Despite more Nigerians coming online, total data traffic dipped slightly to 1.147 million terabytes in September from 1.152 million terabytes in August. Analysts suggest this decline could be linked to reduced consumer spending amid rising living costs. Still, optimism remains high as the Federal Government’s fibre-optic expansion plan—aimed at extending the country’s network to 125,000 kilometres—is expected to lower internet costs by up to 60 per cent and accelerate digital inclusion under the National Broadband Plan (2020–2025).
source: punch