The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has announced a significant push to improve the nation's telephony services, with operators deploying thousands of new infrastructure sites last year. The regulator has assured consumers that 2026 will bring tangible improvements in service quality, with a concerted effort underway to revitalize the sector.
Infrastructure Expansion and Broadband Growth
In a document titled '2026: Delivering Better Quality of Experience to the Nigerian Consumer', signed by its Executive Vice Chairman, Dr. Aminu Maida, the NCC disclosed that over 2,800 new and upgraded sites were rolled out by operators throughout 2025. This infrastructure drive marked a rebound in investment momentum for the telecommunications industry.
The direct result of this expansion was a notable jump in broadband subscriptions and penetration. By December 2025, broadband subscriptions climbed to approximately 109.6 million, a significant increase from the 96.3 million recorded a year earlier. Consequently, broadband penetration rose to 50.58%, crossing the crucial 50% mark from 44.43% at the end of 2024.
This recovery is particularly important as it follows a period of constrained investment caused by foreign exchange shortages, rising operational costs, and persistent infrastructure challenges.
Measurable Improvements in Network Performance
While the NCC acknowledges that service enhancements are not yet uniformly felt by all consumers nationwide, it points to clear, measurable progress in network performance. Dr. Maida stated that between December 2024 and December 2025, median 4G download speeds increased by about 24% to roughly 20 megabits per second. Average speeds also saw an 18% rise to around 33 Mbps.
The regulator highlighted 4G performance as a key indicator of everyday user experience, given its dominance. 4G networks now account for about 52% of mobile connections across Nigeria, finally overtaking 2G technology, which still represents about 38% of connections.
"While network performance is not yet where we want it to be in all locations, measurable improvements were recorded over the year," Maida noted.
A Vision for a Sustainable and Inclusive Digital Economy
Looking ahead, the NCC's EVC outlined a shared expectation for the new year: "better services that people can feel, delivered by a market that is fair, competitive and sustainable." He emphasized the critical balance between consumer trust and operator viability, stating that reliable, affordable service and sustainable investment are two sides of the same coin.
"When this balance is right, trust is built, investment flows, innovation thrives, and more Nigerians can participate meaningfully in the digital economy," Maida said. This ambition aligns with the Federal Government's Renewed Hope Agenda and President Bola Tinubu's goal of building a $1 trillion digital economy by 2030.
The Commission reiterated its commitment to a healthy sector, which includes ensuring fair value for consumers and commercial viability for operators. Maida also recognized that market forces alone cannot achieve universal connectivity. The NCC plans to leverage data to identify underserved areas and use a mix of incentives, partnerships, and tools to extend access.
"Our aim is clear: to ensure that no Nigerian is excluded from the digital era because of where they live or their socio-economic circumstances," he concluded.
