With 58.22% Broadband Penetration, Nigeria Far from Attaining 70% Target
Emma Okonji Eleven months after the December 2025 deadline for achieving 70 per cent broadband penetration as outlined in the Nigerian National Broadband Plan (2020-2025), the country is still far
As Nigeria missed its 2025 goal of 70% broadband penetration, the country lags significantly behind that target. The Nigerian National Broadband Plan (2020-2025) aimed for 70% nationwide coverage, with a minimum download speed of 25 Mbps in cities and 10 Mbps in remote areas. By August 2026, broadband penetration stood at 58.22%, with an estimated 126.2 million active subscriptions.
Despite falling short of the December 2025 target, the telecoms sector still experienced growth over the past 12 months. From September 2025 to August 2026, broadband penetration and active subscriptions consistently increased each month. In September 2025, penetration began at 49.34% with 106.9 million subscribers. By August 2026, these figures rose to 58.22% and 126.2 million subscribers.
In January 2026, penetration reached 53.07%, and active subscriptions grew to 115 million. This upward trend continued, reaching 58.22% broadband penetration and 126.2 million active subscriptions by August 2026. While Nigeria has not yet met its 70% goal, the steady growth in broadband penetration and subscriptions indicate progress in the sector.
ALTON Chairman, Mr. Gbenga Adebayo, affirmed that the telecoms sector is making advancements and believes the 70% target will soon be achieved and surpassed.
Written by urgent.news from This Day's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
