Nigeria’s 5G rollout remains limited three years after commercial launch, with just 6.38 million users connected as of November, according to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). This accounts for only 3.6% of the country’s 177.4 million active telecom subscribers, while 4G dominates with nearly 52% of connections.
Despite slow adoption, MTN and Airtel have invested hundreds of millions of dollars in network expansion, fibre backhaul, and spectrum licensing, signaling confidence in 5G as a key platform for Nigeria’s digital economy.
Coverage remains concentrated in urban centres like Lagos, Abuja, Rivers, Oyo, and Kano, leaving rural and semi-urban areas reliant on 4G and 3G networks.
Rising data demand underscores the urgency of expansion. National mobile data traffic is set to exceed 13 million terabytes by year-end, driven by streaming, cloud services, and digital payments.
An NCC–Ookla report highlights a gap between 5G-ready devices and network access, with over 65% of devices in Lagos and Abuja unable to connect.
Experts note that while 5G is easing high-capacity traffic in cities, rural areas face slower speeds and limited access. Expanding coverage beyond urban hubs remains critical to digital inclusion and fully leveraging 5G’s benefits.
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