Nigeria’s growing appetite for the internet has reached a staggering level, with data consumption estimated at ₦6.6tn over the 12 months to May 2026. The figure, derived from data usage recorded by the Nigerian Communications Commission and an estimated average price of ₦431 per gigabyte, highlights just how deeply internet services have become woven into everyday life, from social media and streaming to fintech, remote work and online businesses.
According to NCC data, Nigerians consumed about 15.32 million terabytes of internet data between June 2025 and May 2026. That translates to roughly 15.32 billion gigabytes of data. Using the ₦431 average benchmark, the total value of the consumption comes to approximately ₦6.6tn. However, the figure is an estimate rather than the actual revenue earned by telecommunications companies, as data prices vary depending on operators, bundles, promotions, technology and validity periods.
The growth has been particularly noticeable in recent months. Monthly data consumption climbed from about 1.04 million TB in June 2025 to a record 1.50 million TB in May 2026, representing an increase of roughly 44 per cent. Despite occasional monthly declines, the overall trend remained upward, showing that Nigerians are using more data than ever. The surge also comes as data prices remain higher following the 50 per cent telecom tariff increase introduced in early 2025.
For telecom operators, the booming demand presents a major business opportunity but also comes with significant pressure. MTN Nigeria, for instance, recorded ₦1.699tn in data revenue in the first half of 2026, up 38.3 per cent from ₦1.229tn during the same period in 2025. At the same time, operators and infrastructure companies have had to spend heavily to keep networks running as traffic increases. The industry invested about ₦2.5tn in network infrastructure and upgrades in 2025, while thousands of telecommunications sites have been added or upgraded to improve coverage and capacity.
The latest figures underline a major shift in Nigeria’s digital economy: internet access is no longer simply a communication tool but a major part of economic and social activity. With more Nigerians relying on digital payments, online businesses, entertainment, education and remote services, demand for reliable and affordable internet is likely to keep growing. The deployment of additional 5G sites across 27 states and continued investment in telecom infrastructure could help operators cope with that demand, but the challenge will be ensuring that Nigeria’s rapidly expanding digital economy is matched by networks capable of keeping up.
source: punch
