From 2G to 5G: How Nigeria’s Internet Usage, Data Consumption Evolved in Five Years

Over the last five years, Nigeria’s internet usage has undergone rapid changes. Data consumption and mobile subscriptions have soared, reflecting both the country’s growing connectivity and the increasing dependence on mobile internet.

2019-2020 – The catalyst for change

In 2019, Nigeria’s internet market was already experiencing a steady growth trajectory. According to data garnered from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), by December 2019, the total number of active internet subscriptions stood at 125.98 million. This was a notable increase from 2018, reflecting growing access to mobile internet as more Nigerians embraced smartphones.

However, 2020 marked a dramatic shift in the country’s internet consumption patterns. The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted daily life, forcing schools, businesses, and social interactions online. This massive shift to digital platforms caused a surge in data usage across the country.

By December 2020, the total number of active internet subscriptions had increased by 22.5%, reaching 154.29 million, while the volume of data consumed surged by 66.5%, rising from 123,648 terabytes in December 2019 to 205,880 terabytes.

The increase in data consumption was primarily driven by the widespread adoption of online education, remote work, and virtual events. For many Nigerians, mobile internet became the lifeline that enabled them to stay connected, and this trend paved the way for more expansive data usage in subsequent years.

A rapid surge in data consumption: The 2021 milestone

Amid the disruptions caused by the pandemic, Nigeria’s internet usage continued to rise in 2021. Active internet subscriptions decreased slightly by 8% from 154.29 million in 2020 to 141.96 million in 2021. This decline, however, did not reflect a drop in mobile internet engagement but rather the deactivation of unverified SIM cards following the National Identification Number (NIN) linkage policy implemented by the Nigerian government.

On the other hand, data consumption saw a growth of 68.2%. By December 2021, the volume of data consumed reached 350,165.39 TB, a notable increase from the previous year. This spike was consistent with the global trend of heightened digital consumption, driven by continued lockdowns, work-from-home mandates, and the transition to online learning.

Broadband penetration expands: 2022’s connectivity leap

In 2022, Nigeria saw a significant leap in broadband penetration, marking a milestone in the country’s internet journey. The number of active internet subscriptions grew by 9.06%, reaching 154.85 million by the end of the year. Alongside this, broadband subscriptions expanded by 15.9%, pushing the broadband penetration rate up to 47.36%.

This expansion in broadband access was particularly critical as more Nigerians embraced 4G networks for faster, more reliable internet services. By the end of 2022, 80.86% of Nigerians were covered by 4G LTE/WiMAX mobile networks, while 2G and 3G coverage stood at 93.9% and 86.82%, respectively. This progress in network infrastructure laid the foundation for the digital revolution that was about to unfold.

Additionally, total data usage rose dramatically, increasing by 46.77% from 353,118 TB in 2021 to 518,381.78 TB in 2022. This was a reflection of the growing appetite for high-speed internet, fuelled by streaming services, online gaming, and remote work.

Growth in subscribers and data: 2023 and beyond

In 2023, Nigeria’s internet subscriber base continued its upward trajectory. In Q1, the number of active internet subscribers stood at 157.55 million, representing a growth of 8.02% from the previous year. By Q2, the number rose to 159.5 million, with Lagos leading the pack as the state with the highest number of internet subscribers. Lagos’ dominance in internet usage reflected its status as Nigeria’s economic and technological hub.

The data consumption trend showed continued growth. By Q3 2023, Nigeria had 160.17 million active internet subscribers, with Lagos once again at the top, followed by Ogun and Kano. Despite the rapid increase in subscriptions, Bayelsa remained one of the states with the lowest subscriber numbers, highlighting the regional disparities in access to technology.

The final quarter of 2023 saw 163.84 million active internet subscribers, a 5.81% increase from Q4 2022. The trend continued with a steady rise in data usage, reflecting the ongoing transformation of Nigeria’s internet landscape.

2024: A minor setback and major developments

The year 2024 brought both challenges and opportunities. Active internet subscriptions dropped to 139.2 million in December, a significant decline from the previous year, due to the deactivation of SIM cards not linked to National Identity Numbers (NIN). This was coupled with a drop in overall mobile connections, as teledensity fell from 103% to 76.1%.

However, data consumption continued to rise. Despite the decline in active subscriptions, Nigeria consumed a record 973,445 TB of data in 2024. This growth was a testament to the nation’s increasing dependence on digital platforms.

By the end of 2024, mobile internet penetration had shifted. 4G usage surpassed 2G, signalling Nigeria’s steady progress toward more advanced mobile technologies. MTN held the lion’s share of the market, with 51.39% of subscriptions, while Airtel followed with 34.3%.

2025: The tariff hike doesn’t slow down growth

In 2025, despite a significant increase in data tariffs by 50%, Nigerians continued to consume data in massive quantities. By March 2025, data consumption surged to 995,876.10 TB, an 11.5% increase from the previous month. Mobile subscriptions also saw growth, with the number of active subscriptions rising to 141.5 million.

MTN remained the market leader with 75.62 million subscribers. Despite the tariff increase, the appetite for mobile data alongside the country’s overall internet consumption seems insatiable.

Demographics: Who is driving Nigeria’s data boom?

The surge in internet usage across Nigeria is primarily driven by a combination of urbanisation, demographic shifts, and technological advancements. Urban centres such as Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt are at the heart of this data boom, benefiting from superior infrastructure and robust economic activity.

These cities, with their higher concentration of businesses, educational institutions, and entertainment hubs, naturally see the highest levels of internet engagement. However, rural areas are gradually narrowing the gap. As 4G networks continue to expand and smartphones become increasingly affordable, more people in less urbanised regions are gaining access to the internet.

Demographically, the most significant drivers of Nigeria’s data consumption are young Nigerians aged 18 to 35. This group enthusiastically embraces streaming platforms, social media, and e-commerce, making them the largest consumers of data. According to DataReportal, internet penetration among the youth is significantly higher compared to older generations, reflecting the deep integration of digital platforms into their daily lives. In terms of gender, the gap in internet access is gradually closing. More women are gaining access to smartphones and affordable data plans, contributing to increased online engagement across gender lines.

Socioeconomic status also plays a role in shaping data consumption patterns. While those from higher income brackets naturally consume more data, budget-friendly mobile data offerings have democratised internet access, enabling individuals from various income levels to participate in the digital ecosystem. This has helped create a more inclusive digital environment where a broader cross-section of society can engage with online services, from e-commerce to education and entertainment.

The leading network providers

Nigeria’s telecom sector is led by four major operators: MTN, Airtel, Globacom (Glo), and 9mobile. MTN Nigeria holds the largest market share with 72.22 million internet subscribers as of December 2024, followed by Airtel with 47.41 million. MTN and Airtel have demonstrated strong growth, adding 1.61 million and 1.24 million users respectively, while Globacom and 9mobile have seen stable or slight declines.

MTN and Airtel’s combined revenue from voice and data services reached N3.67 trillion in the first half of 2024, reflecting the lucrative nature of data subscriptions in Nigeria’s telecom market.

Factors fueling data surge

Nigeria’s data consumption boom is driven by several factors. Streaming services and social media platforms are at the forefront, with Adeolu Ogunbanjo, president of NATCOMS, highlighting that “streaming is driving this surge.” Video streaming and social media are now the dominant forces in data usage.

In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the shift toward remote work and e-learning, significantly increasing data demands. E-commerce platforms like Jumia, Konga, and Paystack have also played a pivotal role in driving data consumption by facilitating online shopping and digital banking.

Furthermore, the rollout of 4G and the initial deployment of 5G networks have improved internet speed and reliability, encouraging even greater data usage across various sectors.

Nigeria’s internet future

Nigeria’s internet and mobile data landscape has been on an upward trajectory. The country is on track to become one of Africa’s most connected nations, with a growing number of users consuming ever-increasing volumes of data. While the market has faced setbacks, the demand for digital connectivity remains resilient, with mobile internet users continuing to push the boundaries of consumption.