Nigeria is witnessing a significant surge in internet consumption, rising by 30.74% year-on-year to reach an all-time peak of 1,044,073.08 terabytes by mid-2025, according to new H1 2025 telecoms market data released on Tuesday by the industry regulator.
Technology Times analysis of the June 2025 market data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) shows that the first half of 2025 (H1 2025) presented a dynamic and evolving landscape for the Nigerian telecoms industry, marked by stabilisation and strategic growth following the significant disruptions experienced in H1 2024. The data reveals that the nation’s telecoms sector is charting a stabilising path to renewed growth.
A major highlight is the 30.74% year-on-year increase in internet data consumption, with total usage jumping from 798,583.81TB in June 2024 to 1,044,073.08TB in June 2025. This extraordinary growth underscores a fundamental shift in consumer behaviour, with active internet users consuming considerably more data per capita.
Nigeria internet usage explosion in H1 2025
A major highlight is the 30.74% year-on-year increase in internet data consumption, with total usage jumping from 798,583.81TB in June 2024 to 1,044,073.08TB in June 2025. This extraordinary growth underscores a fundamental shift in consumer behaviour, with active internet users consuming considerably more data per capita. The surge is likely fuelled by increased access to data-intensive applications such as streaming, gaming, and social media, in addition to remote work, online education, and the broader digitalisation of daily life.
The mobile (GSM) internet subscriber base also showed growth, increasing from 135,942,275 in June 2024 to 140,643,046 in June 2025. Despite some fluctuations during the period, this upward trend suggests a strong level of engagement with mobile internet services, even within a more refined subscriber base following the National Identification Number (NIN) linkage exercise.
Broadband subscriptions rose from 95,215,547 in June 2024 to 105,749,786 in June 2025. Broadband penetration – a critical indicator of digital inclusion and economic development – improved from 43.92% to 48.78% over the same period. This suggests ongoing investment in infrastructure and increasing affordability of broadband services, propelling Nigeria’s digital transformation.
Overall telecoms market dynamics: Stabilisation and measured growth
The H1 2024 telecoms market was largely shaped by the rigorous enforcement of the Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) and NIN linkage policy. This led to a substantial pruning of the subscriber base, which has since served as a new baseline from which the industry began its recovery in H1 2025.
Total active telephony subscriptions fell sharply from 218,400,965 in January 2024 to 170,904,257 in June 2024. This was due to the disconnection of SIMs not linked to verifiable NINs and the rectification of major discrepancies by Mobile Network Operators (MNOs). Teledensity fell in parallel, dropping from 100.75% in January 2024 to 78.84% in June 2024.
By contrast, H1 2025 showed signs of stabilisation. Total subscriptions started at 169,318,076 in January 2025 and grew modestly to 171,730,064 by June 2025. Correspondingly, teledensity remained relatively steady, moving from 78.10% to 79.22% over the same period, indicating that the market had adjusted to the impact of the SIM-NIN exercise.
Mobile network operator (MNO) performance and market share shifts
MTN Nigeria maintained its position as market leader. Its subscriber base grew from 83,767,545 in June 2024 to 89,243,348 in June 2025, representing a 5.4% increase. MTN held a commanding 52.03% market share by mid-2025.
Airtel Nigeria remained the second-largest operator, with a subscriber base of 58,965,827 in June 2025, slightly down from 59,965,807 a year earlier. Despite this dip, it showed internal growth during H1 2025. Airtel held 34.38% of the market.
Globacom (Glo) faced significant challenges, with its subscriber base dropping dramatically in H1 2024 from 61,926,445 to 21,001,155. In H1 2025, Glo stabilised at a reduced base of 20,885,055 subscribers, accounting for 12.18% market share.
9mobile continued to struggle. Its subscriber base plummeted from 13,799,694 in January 2024 to 2,436,993 by June 2025. Despite the decline, 9mobile recorded the highest incoming porting (3,372) in June 2025, suggesting niche appeal or targeted promotions. Its market share stood at 1.42%.
H1 2025 marked a recalibration period for Nigeria’s telecoms industry following the disruptive SIM-NIN exercise of the previous year. The industry is showing signs of maturity, with resilient data growth, increasing broadband penetration, and a clear shift towards modern network technologies. As the sector moves forward, digital services and high-speed connectivity will form the backbone of future growth and competition.
Technological shift in subscriber generations
The adoption of newer mobile technologies continued to rise in H1 2025.
4G: Market share increased from 43.35% in June 2024 to 50.80% in June 2025.
5G: Though still emerging, 5G share rose from 1.81% to 3.07%.
2G and 3G: Older technologies declined, with 2G dropping from 44.30% to 38.47%, and 3G falling from 10.54% to 7.66%.
This trend reflects both operator investment in next-generation networks and a consumer shift towards faster connectivity.
Porting: Competitive fluidity
Porting volumes increased year-on-year, with 32,464 outgoing porting activities in H1 2025 compared to 21,057 in H1 2024. This indicates growing consumer willingness to switch providers in search of better value or service quality.
- MTN had the highest outgoing porting (2,445)
- 9mobile had the lowest outgoing (4) and highest incoming (3,372)
- Airtel recorded 1,158 outgoing and 250 incoming
- Glo had 502 outgoing and 311 incoming
Contribution to GDP
The telecoms sector contributed 14.58% to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Q1 2025, matching its contribution in Q1 2024. This stability underlines the sector’s resilience and its importance to the national economy.
Outlook for H2 2025
The Nigerian telecoms market is expected to continue its trajectory of stabilisation and moderate growth in H2 2025:
- Subscriber Base: Anticipated to grow steadily as compliant SIMs are activated and inactive lines are reactivated.
- Operator Landscape: MTN is likely to consolidate its lead, Airtel will maintain second place, Glo aims for post-disruption recovery, while 9mobile faces significant strategic challenges despite some porting gains.
- Technological Advancement: 4G and 5G adoption will accelerate, while 2G and 3G continue to decline.
- Data Consumption: Expected to remain a major growth driver as digital lifestyles expand.
- Broadband: Subscriptions and penetration are set to rise with ongoing infrastructure investments.
- Competition: Intense competition in pricing, value-added services and quality of service will shape market dynamics.
H1 2025 marked a recalibration period for Nigeria’s telecoms industry following the disruptive SIM-NIN exercise of the previous year. The industry is showing signs of maturity, with resilient data growth, increasing broadband penetration, and a clear shift towards modern network technologies. As the sector moves forward, digital services and high-speed connectivity will form the backbone of future growth and competition.
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