Nigerians spent an estimated N3.33 trillion on internet data in the first quarter of 2026, underscoring the growing importance of digital connectivity in daily life. According to fresh figures from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), subscribers consumed approximately 4.06 million terabytes of data during the period, averaging 28 gigabytes per user.
Telecoms Sector Contribution to GDP Rises
The telecommunications industry has strengthened its position as a key driver of Nigeria’s economy. The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reported that the sector contributed N4.71 trillion to the real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Q1 2026, accounting for 9.19% of total output. This marks the second-highest quarterly contribution in two years, up from 7.7% in Q3 2025 and 8.1% in Q4 2025. Within the Information and Communication sector, telecommunications remained dominant, with the entire sector adding N5.8 trillion to the economy.
The strong performance of telecoms, alongside gains in agriculture, helped Nigeria’s economy expand by 3.89% year-on-year in Q1 2026, compared to 3.13% growth in the same period of 2025. The services sector remained the largest contributor, accounting for nearly 58% of GDP.
Data Demand Drives Telecom Revenue Growth
The rising reliance on internet services has boosted earnings for major telecom operators. MTN Nigeria reported data revenue of N826.1 billion in Q1 2026, contributing to a profit before tax of N546.4 billion. Airtel Nigeria also saw strong growth, with earnings rising 40.2% to $475 million, of which $244 million came from data services alone.
Industry analysts highlight that the telecommunications sector has become a critical support system for banking, fintech, e-commerce, healthcare, and education. Continued investment in network infrastructure by operators like MTN, Airtel, and Globacom is seen as essential to sustaining growth and expanding digital access.
With internet usage continuing to rise, experts expect the telecom industry to play a central role in the Federal Government’s ambition of building a $1 trillion digital economy.
