Nigeria’s telecommunications networks recorded measurable improvements in speed and service quality in the fourth quarter of 2025, buoyed by heavy industry investment and tighter, data-driven regulation, according to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
Unveiling the Q4 2025 Network Performance Reports on Thursday, the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Dr Aminu Maida, said the findings underscore the regulator’s push for transparency and evidence-based oversight of the country’s fast-evolving digital ecosystem.
Speaking during a stakeholder engagement, Maida explained that the reports were produced in collaboration with global internet analytics firm Ookla, best known for its Speedtest platform, to provide independent, real-world insights into how Nigerians experience mobile and broadband services.
“Today’s engagement reflects our commitment to transparent, data-driven regulation and the continuous improvement of Nigeria’s digital ecosystem,” Maida said. “Through our collaboration with Ookla, we are providing independent insights into real-world network performance and the lived experience of Nigerians across cities, rural communities, highways, and emerging 5G zones.”
According to the NCC, the Q4 data shows “clear and steady improvements” in network quality compared with the previous quarter, particularly in median download speeds across both urban and rural areas. The commission noted that the gap in video Quality of Experience between cities and rural communities has also narrowed — a key indicator in a country where video streaming, social media and remote work are increasingly central to daily life.
The strength of Nigeria’s 4G backbone, which still carries the bulk of mobile data traffic nationwide, also continued to improve, reflecting ongoing upgrades by mobile network operators.
These gains align with broader industry trends reported by Ookla and other international monitoring bodies, which have consistently pointed to incremental improvements in Nigeria’s mobile internet speeds over the past two years, even as demand surges.
Despite the progress, the NCC acknowledged persistent challenges. The Q4 report highlights gaps in 5G service availability and inequalities in upload speeds — issues that affect content creators, businesses relying on cloud services, and users in underserved areas.
Maida said the commission is actively engaging operators to address these shortcomings, including persistent gaps in mobile service coverage. Regulatory interventions under consideration range from spectrum optimisation and infrastructure upgrades to stricter quality-of-service enforcement and accelerated rural connectivity programmes.
A major driver of the improved performance, the NCC said, was sustained capital investment by telecom operators. In 2025 alone, the industry invested over $1 billion, resulting in the deployment of more than 2,850 new network sites nationwide to expand coverage and capacity.
Industry analysts say such investments are critical as Nigeria’s data consumption continues to climb, fuelled by smartphone adoption, fintech services and government digitalisation efforts.
Maida revealed that operators have already committed to exceeding their 2025 investment levels in 2026, signalling continued momentum in network expansion despite macroeconomic pressures.
“We have secured commitments from operators to exceed their 2025 investment levels in 2026, with infrastructure investments continuing in earnest,” he said.
The NCC says insights from the Q4 2025 reports will guide targeted regulatory actions aimed at improving service quality and closing access gaps, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
“We look forward to continued collaboration with industry stakeholders as we translate these insights into better connectivity, improved service quality, and a more inclusive digital future for all Nigerians,” Maida added.
As Africa’s largest telecoms market by subscriber numbers, Nigeria’s network performance is closely watched by investors, consumers and policymakers alike. The latest data suggests that while challenges remain, sustained investment and closer regulatory scrutiny are beginning to deliver tangible improvements for users across the country.
