Broadband Penetration Improves as Active Internet Subscribers Hits 153m

Emma Okonji

Nigeria’s broadband penetration has improved, reaching 53.86 per cent in February 2026, up from 53.07 per cent recorded in January 2026.

Also, the number of active subscribers for data (internet) services on each of the licensed service providers utilising different technologies, improved, reaching a total of 153,134,987 in February 2026, up from 151,555,145 recorded in January 2026.

According to the statistics released by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), of the 153,134,987 internet subscribers, mobile internet subscribers utilising the Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) network accounted for 152,476,943 as of  February 2026, followed by Wired and Wireless technologies offered by Internet Service Providers (ISPs), which accounted for 313,713 internet subscribers in February 2026.

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology, offered by operators like Smile Communications, accounted for 219,741 internet subscribers within the same period, while internet subscribers utilising the Fixed Wired Technology, accounted for 124,590 internet subscribers within the same period.

According to the statistics, broadband penetration reached 49.34 per cent with a subscription figure of 106.9 million in September 2025, and it increased to 49.89 per cent with a subscription figure of 108.2 million in October 2025, and there was a further increase, which reached 50.58 per cent with a subscription figure of 109.7 million in November 2025.  

In December 2025, broadband penetration reached 51.97 per cent, with a subscription base of 112.7 million, and it increased again to 53.07 per cent with a subscription base of 115.04 million in January 2026, before reaching 53.86 per cent with a subscription base of 116.7 million in February 2026.

For internet subscribers, the statistics showed a mix of decrease and increase in internet subscriptions in the last 10 months. According to the statistics, in May 2025, Mobile GSM subscriptions reached 141million, followed by Wired/Wireless subscriptions with 289,369 subscriptions. VoIP internet subscriptions reached 212,151, while Fixed Wired internet subscriptions reached 14,599, bringing the total internet subscriptions for the month of May 2025 to 141.6 million.

In June 2025, Mobile GSM subscriptions dropped to 140.6 million, followed by Wired/Wireless subscriptions with 289,369 subscriptions. VoIP internet subscriptions reached 212,470, while Fixed Wired internet subscriptions reached 26,794, bringing the total internet subscriptions for the month of June 2025 to 141.2 million.

In July 2025, Mobile GSM subscriptions dropped again to 138 million, followed by Wired/Wireless subscriptions with 289,369 subscriptions. VoIP internet subscriptions reached 210,456, while Fixed Wired internet subscriptions reached 29,489, bringing the total internet subscriptions for the month of July 2025 to 138.7 million.

In August 2025, Mobile GSM subscriptions increased to 139.8 million, followed by Wired/Wireless subscriptions with 289,369 subscriptions. VoIP internet subscriptions reached 220,054, while Fixed Wired internet subscriptions increased to 29,490, bringing the total internet subscriptions for the month of August 2025 to 140.3 million.

In September 2025, Mobile GSM subscriptions increased to 140.4 million, followed by VoIP internet subscriptions with 313,713 subscriptions. Wired/Wireless subscriptions reached 231,366, while Fixed Wired internet subscriptions increased to 45,670, bringing the total internet subscriptions for the month of September 2025 to 140.9 million.

In October 2025, Mobile GSM subscriptions increased to 142 million, followed by Wired/Wireless subscriptions with 313,713 subscriptions. VoIP internet subscriptions reached 239,672, while Fixed Wired internet subscriptions increased to 73,778, bringing the total internet subscriptions for the month of October 2025 to 142.6 million.

In November 2025, Mobile GSM subscriptions increased to 144 million, followed by Wired/Wireless subscriptions with 313,713 subscriptions. VoIP internet subscriptions reached 238,496, while Fixed Wired internet subscriptions increased to 83,417, bringing the total internet subscriptions for the month of November 2025 to 144.8 million.

In December 2025, Mobile GSM subscriptions increased to 147 million, followed by Wired/Wireless subscriptions with 313,713 subscriptions. VoIP internet subscriptions reached 232,284, while Fixed Wired internet subscriptions increased to 101,667, bringing the total internet subscriptions for the month of December 2025 to 148.2 million.

In January 2026, Mobile GSM subscriptions increased to 150 million, followed by Wired/Wireless subscriptions with 313,713 subscriptions. VoIP internet subscriptions reached 225,236, while Fixed Wired internet subscriptions increased to 103,722, bringing the total internet subscriptions for the month of January 2026 to 151.6 million.

In February 2026, Mobile GSM subscriptions increased to 152 million, followed by Wired/Wireless subscriptions with 313,713 subscriptions. VoIP internet subscriptions reached 219,741, while Fixed Wired internet subscriptions increased to 124,590, bringing the total internet subscriptions for the month of February 2026 to 153.1 million.