Nigeria may hit N2m terabyte data consumption by December – Dr. Maida

Dr. Aminu Maida, the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), discussed the commission's efforts to enhance consumer experience in the telecom sector, as well as the increasing demand for data services. He emphasized that a good consumer experience in telecommunications extends beyond just call and data quality, encompassing the entire journey of a customer, from selecting a service provider to resolving complaints and switching providers.

Maida clarified that the commission's perspective on quality of experience includes the entire lifecycle of using telecommunications services, whereas quality of service typically refers to network performance. He explained that while the commission is focusing on user-centric network performance metrics, the current data consumption in Nigeria has risen to 1.75 million terabytes in August 2026, with an average 5% monthly growth since July 2026. If this trend continues, Nigeria may reach 2 million terabytes by December 2026.

He highlighted that the NCC provides a national coverage map on its website, which shows network performance across major providers based on crowdsourced data. This allows consumers to make informed choices when selecting a service provider. Maida also explained that Nigeria operates a cost-reflective tariff system, which was mandated by the Nigerian Communications Act of 2003 to attract investments and create a vibrant industry.