Nigeria’s Internet Data Use Surges 44% to Record High

• Nigerians consumed 15.32 million terabytes of internet data between June 2025 and May 2026.

• The consumption was estimated to be worth N6.6tn, based on an average data value of N431 per GB.

• Monthly data usage climbed 44%, reaching a record 1.50 million TB in May 2026.

• Rising traffic is boosting telecom revenues while increasing pressure for further investment in Nigeria’s digital infrastructure.

August 11, () — Nigeria’s internet data consumption was estimated at N6.6tn in the 12 months to May 2026, highlighting the rapid growth in digital activity as rising traffic puts additional pressure on telecommunications infrastructure.

Data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) show that Nigerians consumed about 15.32 million terabytes (TB) of internet data between June 2025 and May 2026. Converted into gigabytes, the volume amounts to approximately 15.32 billion GB.

Applying an estimated average value of N431 per GB puts the value of the data consumed at about N6.6tn. The figure is an estimate of consumption value and does not represent revenue reported by telecommunications operators.

The N431 benchmark reflects the regulated average price of 1GB of mobile data following the 50 per cent tariff increase approved by the NCC in January 2025 and implemented from February. Before the adjustment, the average price was about N287.50 per GB.

Actual retail prices vary considerably, however, depending on the operator, bundle, technology, promotional offers and validity period. Data consumption also covers services beyond the four major mobile operators, including fixed internet providers, internet service providers and VoIP services.

Monthly usage increased from about 1.04 million TB in June 2025 to a record 1.50 million TB in May 2026, representing roughly 44 per cent growth.

Consumption generally increased throughout the period, rising above 1.2 million TB in October and November and reaching about 1.39 million TB in December. Usage remained around that level in January 2026 before falling to approximately 1.26 million TB in February. It recovered to 1.42 million TB in March and 1.41 million TB in April before reaching the May record.

The increase in data usage is also reflected in the financial performance of telecom operators. MTN Nigeria recorded N1.699tn in data revenue in the first half of 2026, compared with N1.229tn during the same period in 2025, representing a 38.3 per cent increase.

However, higher consumption also increases the infrastructure burden on operators. Growing traffic requires continued investment in spectrum, fibre, transmission networks, base stations, data centres and other network infrastructure, while operators face rising energy and maintenance costs.

The NCC said mobile network operators and tower companies invested about N2.5tn in network infrastructure and upgrades in 2025 amid persistent complaints over dropped calls, slow internet speeds, unstable data services and network disruptions.

The investments supported the addition and upgrading of more than 2,800 telecommunications sites nationwide.

The regulator also said more than 12,000 telecom sites had been added or upgraded in 2026, with nearly 3,000 completed, while more than 730 additional 5G sites had been deployed across 27 states.

The sharp increase in data consumption suggests that Nigeria’s digital economy is becoming increasingly dependent on reliable and affordable connectivity, while placing greater demands on the infrastructure required to support it.