Nigeria’s internet usage has surged over the past three years, with internet traffic climbing about 168 per cent between January 2023 and January 2026, according to analyses of data from the Nigerian Communications Commission.
Figures compiled by the telecom regulator show total internet traffic reached 1,385,536.04 terabytes in January 2026, compared with 517,670.15 terabytes recorded in January 2023.
In January 2024, internet usage rose to 721,522 TB, representing a 39.4 per cent increase compared with 2023 levels. The growth continued in January 2025, when usage climbed to 1,000,930.60 TB, marking another 38.7 per cent year-on-year increase. By January 2026, total internet consumption had jumped further to 1,385,536.04 TB, reflecting a 38.4 per cent rise compared with the previous year.
Overall, Nigeria added 867,865.89 TB of internet traffic between 2023 and 2026, bringing the cumulative increase to roughly 168 per cent over the three-year period. The near-consistent 38–39 per cent annual growth rate points to an accelerating appetite for digital services in Africa’s most populous nation, as more consumers rely on online platforms for communication, entertainment, payments and business activities.
Nigeria’s broadband penetration reached 53.07 per cent, meaning just over half of the population had access to high-speed internet.
NCC statistics show broadband penetration rose to 53.07 per cent in January, equivalent to 115.04 million subscriptions, up from 51.97 per cent and 112.67 million subscriptions recorded in December. The increase represents a net addition of about 2.37 million broadband users in one month, signalling expanding access to high-speed internet services.
The increase in internet traffic is also closely linked to heavy investments by telecommunications operators to expand network infrastructure and improve service capacity. According to the NCC, telecom operators invested more than $1bn in network infrastructure in 2025, leading to the deployment of over 2,850 new telecom sites nationwide to expand coverage and boost network capacity. The regulator said the improvements in network performance and capacity seen in recent industry reports were largely driven by these investments.
While commenting on the latest network performance report released in January, the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Dr Aminu Maida, said, “In 2025, over $1bn in industry investment resulted in the deployment of more than 2,850 new sites to expand both coverage and capacity nationwide.”
He added, “We have secured commitments from operators to exceed their 2025 investment levels in 2026, with infrastructure investments continuing in earnest.”
Operators are expected to further scale up spending, with plans to invest over N1.4tn in network expansion this year, aimed at strengthening coverage, improving service quality and supporting the gradual rollout of 5G services across the country.
The expansion recorded in 2025 occurred after a period of financial strain that had led operators to lobby for higher tariffs. A 50 per cent hike in service charges, approved by the NCC and the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, relieved some of that pressure, allowing telcos to return to profitability and resume ambitious investment plans.
Nigeria has also been pushing to deepen connectivity in underserved regions. The Federal Government last year approved the deployment of 4,000 telecom towers in rural communities to help close the digital divide and improve access to communication services.
The continued rise in internet usage underscores the growing role of connectivity in Nigeria’s economy and highlights the increasing pressure on telecom networks as millions of users migrate more of their daily activities online.
