Despite 50% tariff hike, Nigerians keep consuming data as teledensity hits 81%

Nigeria’s teledensity rose to 80.87 percent in October 2025, reflecting increased telephone coverage across the country, according to new industry statistics released by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

The data shows active telephone subscriptions grew from 173.5 million in September to 175 million in October, indicating that operators activated or reactivated about 1.54 million SIM cards.

The country currently has over 310 million connected lines.

4G remained the dominant mobile technology with 51.77 percent penetration, followed by 2G at 38.4 percent. 3G, which is being phased out globally, accounted for 6.34 percent, while 5G adoption remained slow at 3.49 percent.

Internet subscriptions also increased, rising from 140.9 million to 142.6 million within the same period.

Broadband users reached 108 million, hitting 49.8 percent penetration—still short of the 70 percent target set for 2025.

Despite the 50 percent tariff hike approved by the Federal Government in January 2025, Nigerians consumed 1.23 million terabytes of data between February and September, up from 893,054 TB. Data spending during the period totalled an estimated N2.5 trillion.

Following the increase, call tariffs rose from N6.40 to N9.60 per minute, with ceiling rates climbing to N75. SMS charges moved from N4 to N6, while the cost of 1GB of data increased from N287.50 to N431.25. The average call rate surged from N11 to N16.50 per minute.

Telecom firms recorded significant revenue boosts. MTN’s Q2 2025 data revenue jumped 85.6 percent to N701 billion, while Airtel recorded a 60.3 percent rise to N260 billion.

The NCC data also shows MTN leads the market with 91 million subscribers (52 percent penetration), followed by Airtel with 59 million users (33.7 percent). Globacom has 21.8 million subscribers (12.5 percent), and T2—formerly 9mobile—has 3.13 million users (1.79 percent).

Meanwhile, rural connectivity is set for a major upgrade after the Federal Executive Council approved the installation of 4,000 telecom towers in underserved communities.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said the initiative aims to boost security, strengthen economic activity, and connect about 23 million underserved Nigerians.

“The rollout will significantly improve rural connectivity and enhance security surveillance in areas without network coverage,” the minister said.