Nigeria’s Internet Data Consumption Hits N6.6tn as Usage Surges
By Our Technology Desk
Nigeria’s internet data consumption has been estimated at N6.6tn over the 12 months to May 2026, highlighting the rapid expansion of digital activity across the country.
The estimate, based on data usage figures from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and an average data value of N431 per gigabyte, represents the estimated value of data consumed rather than revenue directly earned by telecommunications operators.
According to NCC figures, Nigerians consumed approximately 15.32 million terabytes of internet data between June 2025 and May 2026. Converted to gigabytes, the volume amounts to about 15.32 billion GB.
Using the estimated average price of N431 per GB, the total value of consumption comes to approximately N6.6tn.
Data Usage Hits Record High
Internet consumption continued to climb during the period, rising from about 1.04 million terabytes in June 2025 to a record 1.50 million terabytes in May 2026, representing an increase of roughly 44 per cent.
Monthly consumption stood at approximately 1.13 million TB in July and 1.15 million TB in August before remaining relatively flat in September.
Usage subsequently crossed the 1.2 million TB mark in October and November and climbed to about 1.39 million TB in December.
Although consumption dipped to approximately 1.26 million TB in February 2026, it rebounded to 1.42 million TB in March and 1.41 million TB in April before reaching its record level in May.
The figures cover internet usage across different technologies and licensed service providers, including GSM operators, fixed wired connections, Internet Service Providers and VoIP services.
Data Prices Remain Under Pressure
The estimated N431 per GB reflects the regulated average following the 50 per cent telecommunications tariff adjustment introduced in early 2025.
Before the adjustment, the average price of 1GB of mobile data was estimated at about N287.50. Following the increase, the regulated average rose to approximately N431.25, although actual retail prices vary among operators, plans and promotional offers.
MTN Records Strong Data Revenue Growth
The surge in consumption has also translated into significant revenue growth for telecommunications operators.
MTN Nigeria, the country’s largest mobile network operator, recorded approximately N1.699tn in data revenue in the first half of 2026, compared with N1.229tn during the corresponding period of 2025.
The figures represent a year-on-year increase of about 38.3 per cent.
However, the rapid growth in traffic is also putting pressure on operators to expand network capacity and infrastructure.
Telecommunications companies must continue investing in spectrum, fibre networks, transmission infrastructure, base stations, data centres and other facilities, while contending with rising energy and maintenance costs.
Operators Invest Billions to Expand Networks
The NCC said mobile network operators and tower companies invested approximately N2.5tn in network infrastructure and upgrades in 2025.
The investment came amid persistent complaints from subscribers over poor network quality, dropped calls, slow internet speeds and service disruptions in several parts of the country.
More than 2,800 telecommunications sites were reportedly added or upgraded during the period to improve network coverage and capacity.
The regulator also disclosed that operators added or upgraded more than 12,000 telecom sites in 2026, with nearly 3,000 already completed.
In addition, more than 730 new 5G sites have reportedly been deployed across 27 states this year.
The rising volume of internet consumption underscores the growing importance of Nigeria’s digital economy, while also highlighting the need for sustained investment in telecommunications infrastructure to keep pace with the country’s expanding appetite for connectivity.
