Nigeria Data Use Hits 1.42 Million TB in March as 2025 Telecom Spending Reaches $5.67 Billion
Updated
Updated · Business Insider Africa · May 28
Nigeria Data Use Hits 1.42 Million TB in March as 2025 Telecom Spending Reaches $5.67 Billion
1 articles · Updated · Business Insider Africa · May 28
1.42 million terabytes of data were consumed in Nigeria in March 2026, up from 995,000 terabytes a year earlier, underscoring a sharp jump in mobile internet use.
A 50% tariff increase approved in early 2025 and stronger demand for streaming, payments, e-commerce and other digital services helped lift 2025 airtime and data spending to N9 trillion, or $5.67 billion.
MTN Nigeria and Airtel Nigeria turned that surge into strong growth: MTN’s revenue rose 55.1% to N5.2 trillion and Airtel Nigeria’s reported revenue climbed 52.8%, with ARPU and data usage rising at both operators.
Network strain is also deepening as usage climbs, with consumer groups citing dropped calls, slow internet and unstable connections despite record industry revenues.
The regulator said operators plan to upgrade 12,000 network sites in 2026, highlighting how Nigeria’s digital expansion is outpacing existing telecom infrastructure.