Nigeria added 650,000 new internet users in March driven by mobile data subscriptions

Latest industry data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) reveal that internet subscribers increased by over 650,000 to 153.82 million in March 2025, driven by growth in mobile internet subscriptions.

This reflects the affordability of mobile data for Nigerian users, as the majority of the population accesses the internet through mobile data. This portrays the reality that most Nigerians visit social media and come online via their smartphones. 

However, there’s a huge line between quality and quantity. 

While the industry data didn’t specify how many gigabytes or terabytes of data are consumed via smartphones compared to fibre or through internet service providers (ISPs), units of data differ. 

While the above might generate a debate, updated figures from the NCC website show that total data used in March reached an all-time high of 1.42 million terabytes, a sharp rise from the 1.26 million terabytes recorded in February. 

With mobile/GSM accounting for the bulk of internet subscribers, ISPs follow at a distant 313,713 users, and VoIP comes in at 218,351 users. Fueled by MTN FibreX, fixed wired controls the remaining 137,074 subscribers, after experiencing a sharp rise in the past 6 months. 

In terms of network use, 4G extends dominance with a slight 0.17 increase to 53.79% share of the Nigerian market. This reveals continued growth in the adoption of 4G-enabled smartphones. Coverage capacity is still 5G’s greatest issue, as data shows it’s still crawling at 4.20% share, after a 0.14 addition from February. 

On the other end, 2G and 3G continue that phase-out period, as both declined to 36.75% and 5.30%, respectively.

Also Read: Fibre Cuts: Nigerian telecom stakeholders push “Dig-Once” policy for quality network.

More Nigerians expected on the internet

As Nigerians continue to move online, thus expanding the country’s internet user base, affordability still remains a challenge for low-income earners and people in remote areas. 

In response to this, the NCC disclosed intervention plans to reduce the price of smartphones across Nigeria.

The Commission’s Executive Vice Chairman, Aminu Maida, during a recent media parley in Abuja, recognised the constraint high smartphone prices place on Nigerians, noting that efforts are underway to ease access to cheaper options.

“We are looking at how cheaper smartphones can be introduced into the market,” he said, adding that the transition to smarter, faster connectivity is already well underway.

The move, in the long term, is expected to further drive smartphone penetration and get more Nigerians connected to the world through the internet.

On related figures, total telecoms users in Nigeria have now reached 185.7 million, with mobile network operators (MNOs) like MTN, Airtel, Globacom and T2mobile taking a 99.9% share of the subscribers.