Nigerians are spending more time online than ever before. According to the Nigerian Communications Commission, the country’s internet users consumed about 13.2 million terabytes of data throughout 2025. This represents a huge jump from previous years and shows just how much the internet has become part of daily life for millions of people across the country.
The numbers tell an interesting story about how quickly things are changing. Back in 2023, Nigeria recorded 7.27 million terabytes in total data usage. That climbed to 9.76 million terabytes in 2024, which was already a significant increase of about 34 percent. But 2025 has taken things to another level, with the country on track to exceed 13.2 million terabytes by year end. This means data usage grew by roughly 35 percent compared to the previous year.
Between January and November 2025 alone, Nigerians consumed 11.86 million terabytes of data, up from 8.79 million terabytes during the same period last year. That’s an increase of nearly 3.1 million terabytes in additional volume. To put this in perspective, Nigeria is now consuming just over 41,000 terabytes of data every single day. This constant demand is putting significant pressure on the networks operated by MTN, Airtel, Globacom, and other service providers.
The growth isn’t happening by accident. Several factors are driving Nigerians to use more data than ever before. Streaming platforms like Netflix, YouTube, and local video services have become extremely popular, with people watching movies, shows, and other content on their phones and computers. Cloud computing services that let people store files and access information from anywhere are also becoming common, especially among businesses and professionals who need to work remotely.
Another major driver is the boom in financial technology services. Mobile banking, digital payment apps, and other money transfer platforms require internet access to function. As more Nigerians embrace cashless transactions and digital wallets, data consumption naturally goes up. The widespread adoption of smartphones has also played a crucial role. Phones that can access the internet have become much more affordable in recent years, putting internet capability in the hands of millions of people who previously couldn’t afford it.
The data also reveals some interesting seasonal patterns. December consistently emerges as the peak month for internet usage. In 2024, December traffic exceeded November by nearly 95,000 terabytes. The pattern was similar in 2023, with December usage jumping by about 68,000 terabytes compared to November. This surge is driven by holiday travel, increased streaming during the festive season, more social media activity as people share celebrations with friends and family, and heightened online shopping activity.
Industry experts see this growing data consumption as more than just numbers on a chart. They view it as a mirror reflecting broader changes in Nigerian society and the economy. How much data people use tells us something about how they’re communicating with each other, conducting business transactions, pursuing education, and entertaining themselves. In many ways, data usage has become a measure of economic activity and social engagement in the digital age.
One significant milestone reached in 2025 was broadband penetration crossing the 50 percent mark for the first time in November. This means that more than half of Nigerians now have access to faster internet connections that can handle video streaming, large file downloads, and other data-intensive activities. While this is impressive progress, it still falls short of the 70 percent target that was set under the National Broadband Plan for 2020 to 2025.
The leadership of major telecom companies acknowledge that demand is growing faster than expected. Airtel Nigeria’s chief executive noted that rapid urbanization is intensifying the need for data services. As cities like Lagos continue to expand, with more people moving in, more businesses opening, and more devices connecting to the internet, the pressure on networks keeps mounting. The company recognizes that data has become essential, describing it as the new oxygen, which is why they’re investing heavily in newer network technologies and fibre connections.
However, the story isn’t entirely smooth. The same networks carrying all this data traffic are facing serious challenges. Between January and August 2025, Nigeria recorded over 19,000 incidents where fibre optic cables were cut, either accidentally during construction or deliberately by vandals. There were also more than 3,200 cases of equipment theft from telecom sites, and over 19,000 instances where telecom companies were denied access to their own infrastructure sites. These disruptions cause prolonged outages, cost companies money in repairs and security, and delay service restoration for customers.
The quality of service has become a major concern. While data consumption is soaring, many Nigerians complain about slow internet speeds, dropped calls, and unreliable connections. In June 2025, nine states suffered particularly poor service. December saw network quality issues affect even Abuja, the nation’s capital, where the problems were traced to diesel supply disruptions affecting the infrastructure that powers cell towers.
Despite these challenges, people kept using more data throughout the year. This happened even though telecom companies raised their prices in January 2025, implementing the first major tariff increase since 2013. The cost of voice calls went up by 50 percent, and data prices also increased significantly. Yet demand remained strong, suggesting that internet access has become so essential that people are willing to pay more for it.
Nigeria’s data surge fits into a broader global trend. According to international reports, Africa is the fastest-growing region for internet usage in the world, with connectivity expanding at a rate of 38 percent annually between 2021 and 2025. Nigeria, as Africa’s most populous country and largest economy, is leading much of this growth.
For the growth to continue sustainably, several issues need to be addressed. Infrastructure protection must improve to reduce the constant disruptions from cable cuts and equipment theft. Power supply to cell towers needs to be more reliable so that service doesn’t fail when there are fuel shortages. Investment in rural areas is essential to bridge the gap between urban centres with good connectivity and rural communities that still struggle to get basic internet access.
The government and telecom regulator also face the challenge of balancing different interests. They need to ensure that operators can afford to maintain and expand their networks, which requires allowing them to charge sustainable prices. At the same time, they must protect consumers from excessive costs and ensure that internet access remains affordable for ordinary Nigerians who increasingly depend on it for work, education, and daily life.
The internet is no longer a luxury for a small elite but has become an essential utility for millions of people across the country. Whether this growth continues to accelerate will depend on how well the challenges of infrastructure, affordability, and service quality are managed in the years ahead.
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