Nigeria’s telecommunications sector continues to grow at a remarkable pace, with active telephone users reaching 179.64 million by the end of December 2025, according to the latest figures from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). This reflects a steady increase from 177.43 million in November, highlighting the country’s rising mobile adoption and strong demand for data services. The expansion has pushed national teledensity—the number of active connections per 100 people—to 82.87%, signaling improved connectivity across urban and rural communities.
Market dynamics show that MTN Nigeria remains the dominant player, with 93 million subscribers and a 51.87% market share, followed by Airtel Nigeria with 60.8 million users (33.9%) and Globacom at 22.2 million subscribers (12.4%). T2, formerly 9mobile, holds a smaller portion of the market with 3.22 million users, accounting for 1.8%. These figures underline the competitive landscape of Nigeria’s telecom sector, where a few major operators serve the bulk of the population.
Technological adoption trends show that 4G networks continue to lead, making up 52.95% of all connections, while 2G accounts for 37.37% and 3G for 5.91%. 5G networks, now in their fourth year in Nigeria, represent 3.77% of subscriptions, indicating gradual but steady uptake as infrastructure and compatible devices expand across the country.
The report also highlights a surge in data consumption, with total usage surpassing 13.2 million terabytes in 2025. Nigerians are increasingly relying on digital services, including streaming, social media, online shopping, and other internet-driven activities. Internet subscriptions climbed to 112.67 million, boosting broadband penetration to 51.97%, up from 50.58% in November, reflecting a growing appetite for fast and reliable connectivity nationwide.
Overall, the NCC data underline the telecommunications sector’s vital role in Nigeria’s digital economy. Expanding mobile access, rising data usage, and increasing broadband adoption are reshaping consumption patterns, enabling businesses to reach more Nigerians, and reinforcing the country’s journey toward a fully connected digital society.
source: The Guardian