142m internet users push operators’ earnings to N3trn in one year

Nigeria’s appetite for data is skyrocketing, with more than 142.16 million active internet subscriptions, 141.66 million of them mobile, marking a new high for the country’s connectivity landscape. Internet usage in Nigeria has soared in recent years, driven by increased smartphone adoption. Monthly data usage has surged by 93.35%, reaching 1,000,930.6 terabytes (1,000,930,600 gigabytes) in […]

Nigeria’s appetite for data is skyrocketing, with more than 142.16 million active internet subscriptions, 141.66 million of them mobile, marking a new high for the country’s connectivity landscape.

Internet usage in Nigeria has soared in recent years, driven by increased smartphone adoption. Monthly data usage has surged by 93.35%, reaching 1,000,930.6 terabytes (1,000,930,600 gigabytes) in January 2025 from 517,670.15 TB in January 2023, according to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

Data by NCC also shows that mobile subscriptions now stand at 169 million, while broadband penetration continues to surge, pushing the telecoms sector’s contribution to GDP beyond 14% and valuing it at approximately $10.8 billion.

Latest financial results from MTN Nigeria and Airtel Nigeria show that data now accounts for a significant share of their earnings, with both companies reporting double-digit growth in data revenue for the second quarter of 2025.

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While the food inflation being experienced in the country might have forced some Nigerians to cut spending on data, operators still reported strong data usage growth on their networks in the first quarter, with the service adding about N3 trillion to their earnings in the last 17 months.

While the recent 50% tariff implementation could also be attributed to the operators’ growing revenue, figures released by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) confirm that Nigerians are indeed consuming more data, even as the telcos adjusted their prices.

For Q2 2025, MTN Nigeria reported revenue of N1.3trn and a pre-tax profit of N419.61bn.

The operator also recorded a net foreign exchange gain of N295m, a big turnaround from the N1trn forex loss reported in the same period last year.

These positive results have been attributed to government-led foreign exchange reforms, increased oil production, and other interventions that have stabilised the naira.

Commenting on this surge, MTN Nigeria Chief Financial Officer, Modupe Kadri, said the shift in consumer behaviour is reshaping the business model for telecom operators.

“The average consumer would choose to buy data rather than buy food,” he said in an interview on Channels Television. “Data is the new oil.”

Kadri explained that data’s economic importance lies in the way it enables Nigerians to conduct business, stay connected, and reduce waste in time and resources. “Previously, you might have had to travel for a meeting without being sure it would hold,” he noted. “Now, through data, you can make a video call, send documents instantly, and close deals without leaving your office. Connectivity has become essential, not optional.”

Nigeria remains one of the last markets in West Africa where voice traffic is still growing, albeit at a slower pace.

In advanced markets, Kadri pointed out, voice revenues have almost disappeared, with telecom operators selling data plans that bundle in unlimited voice minutes most subscribers never use.

He said MTN Nigeria is also pioneering new service models to expand coverage and efficiency.