Nigerians used 1.2 million terabytes of data in November 2025

Latest industry data by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has revealed that Nigerian internet subscribers used 1.2 million terabytes of data in November 2025. 

According to the data, internet usage increased by 1,085 terabytes to 1,236,544.10 terabytes from 1,235,459.47 terabytes of data in October 2025. The figure illustrates the increasing surge in internet adoption and the amount of time Nigerians spend online. 

However, the reason is not far-fetched. The data revealed that as data usage increases, Nigerian internet subscribers are also surging.

As of November 2025, the subscriber base stood at 144.8 million, representing a 1.5% increase from the 142.6 million subscribers reported as of October 2025. Breakdown shows that 144.2 million are connected via mobile, 313,713 via ISP, 238,496 via Voice over IP (VoIP), while 83,417 are connected via fixed wired.

The scenario presents a mixed situation for Nigerian internet subscribers. For many in 2025, the network has often marked by slow data speeds and dropped calls, leading to frustrations and a negative impact on daily activities. 

Meanwhile, the Quality of Experience (QoE) and performance report recently launched by the NCC aims to give Nigerians an overall perception of the network that works in their environment. 

Broadband penetration crossed 50%, though still short of the target

On a positive note, broadband subscribers and penetration continue to increase, signalling improved telecoms infrastructure. In November 2025, the data showed that broadband penetration stood at 50.58% from 49.89% in October.

While this has now crossed the halfway mark, it’s still short of the 70% broadband penetration target set under the National Broadband Plan (NBP 2020-2025).

Also, broadband subscribers increased from 108.6 million in October to 109.7 million in November. 

In terms of broadband penetration, the federal government has been making moves to improve telecoms Infrastructure and drive quality networks. For instance, the Project Bridge, an initiative to deploy a 90,000-kilometre fibre optic backbone, aims to revolutionise Nigeria’s digital infrastructure. 

In another recent development, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), revealed that Nigeria is in talks with Google to lay a new subsea cable. It signals the government’s intent to drive digital infrastructure.

While the investment seeks to strengthen the digital and connectivity backbone, it’s needed to help transform Nigeria into a digital hub in Africa and support the vision for a $1 trillion digital economy. 

Also Read: Nigeria has 177.4 million telecoms subscribers as of November 2025.

Despite tariff adjustments, internet data usage increased in Nigeria

Internet usage has witnessed a significant surge in Nigeria following the adjustment of telecom tariffs by 50%. This, in turn, saw mobile network operators (MNOs) increase both voice and data prices.  MTN, Airtel and Globacom rolled out new data subscription prices. They also increase voice call prices from N11 per minute to a range of about N15.40 to N16.50 per minute. 

The data revealed that since April 2025, when MNOs adjusted their data plans, internet usage has increased month-on-month from 983k+ in April to 1.2 million in November 2025. 

Also for MNOs, the adjustment has seen their voice and data revenue gain weight.

For instance, MTN Nigeria, in its financial statement for the nine months ending September 2025, revealed that active data users rose 12.8% to 51.1 million. Its data traffic expanded by 36.3% while average usage per user increased by 20.8% to 13.2 GB per month.

In Airtel Nigeria’s H1 2025 financial report, its voice revenue grew by 34.7% in constant currency to $268 million, driven by voice average revenue per user (ARPU) growth of 25.7%. Data revenue grew by 62.4% to $357 million from $229 million, fueled by the surge in data customers and data ARPU growth of 12.2% and 46.6%, respectively. 

For telecoms operators, the tariff adjustment raised their earnings and was also pushed by an increase in internet subscribers and broadband penetration, despite a shift in voice and data prices. 

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