By David Akinmola
Despite a marginal decline in the number of active internet users, Nigerians consumed a record 1.04 million terabytes of data in May 2025, reflecting the country’s growing appetite for video streaming, digital services, remote work, and e-commerce.
According to the latest report from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the spike in data usage marks one of the highest monthly data consumption figures in Nigeria’s digital history, up from 721,522 terabytes recorded in the same period last year—representing a year-on-year growth of over 44%.
Interestingly, this surge comes even as active internet subscriptions dipped slightly from 160.2 million in April to 159.5 million in May, underscoring a trend of heavier usage per subscriber, driven by higher broadband speeds and more bandwidth-intensive activities.
Industry analysts attribute the rise in consumption to the increasing rollout of 4G and 5G networks, growing demand for online video content, and a sharp uptick in social media and digital payments, particularly among Nigeria’s youthful and tech-savvy population.
“The average Nigerian internet user is doing a lot more online than ever before—streaming movies, conducting business, attending classes, and accessing government and banking services. Even with fewer users, overall usage is climbing because engagement levels per user are deeper,” said Lanre Olalekan, a telecom analyst at TechCore Insights.
The data also shows that mobile broadband remains the backbone of internet access in Nigeria, with MTN, Airtel, Glo, and 9mobile accounting for the bulk of data delivery nationwide.
Broadband penetration, which stood at 43.53% in April, marginally dropped to 43.50% in May, likely due to fluctuations in SIM card reactivations and regulatory compliance issues affecting mobile operators.
Still, Nigeria continues to make strides toward its National Broadband Plan (2020–2025) target of achieving 70% penetration by year-end, bolstered by ongoing investments in fiber infrastructure and rural connectivity.
“Data has become the new electricity—critical to how people live, work, and communicate,” said a spokesperson from the NCC. “This upward trajectory in data usage signals the need for sustained investment in digital infrastructure and spectrum to meet future demand.”
The surge also has implications for digital policy and service delivery in Africa’s largest economy, where internet access is closely tied to financial inclusion, education, and access to healthcare.
Despite the positive growth, challenges remain. Many Nigerians still struggle with the cost of data, limited rural access, and uneven network coverage—issues stakeholders say must be addressed to sustain the current momentum.
Experts believe that data consumption in Nigeria could exceed 12 million terabytes annually if current trends persist, positioning the country as one of Africa’s most data-hungry markets.
