Nigeria’s internet usage grows 44% to 1.5m terabytes

Nigeria's internet data consumption surged by 44 per cent over the past year, reaching a record 1.5 million terabytes by May 2026, according to data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). Monthly consumption rose from around 1.04 million terabytes in June 2025 to approximately 1.50 million terabytes in May 2026, an increase of about 460,000 terabytes.

The data suggests a growing demand for connectivity in Nigeria, a key factor in the country's rapidly expanding digital economy. The NCC figures include data from the major mobile operators, MTN, Airtel, Globacom, and T2, as well as traffic associated with various licensed providers and technologies. Despite fluctuations in monthly usage, consumption remained generally on an upward trajectory towards the end of the 12-month period.

The surge in traffic has placed pressure on telecommunications infrastructure, requiring operators to invest in network capacity, fibre, spectrum, transmission infrastructure, base stations, data centres, and other essential assets. Rising data consumption presents an opportunity for telecommunications companies to expand digital services and increase investment in network quality and capacity to accommodate higher traffic volumes.