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Nigeria’s data consumption hits 1.66 million TB, usage jumps 47% – Technology Times
Nigeria’s data consumption has climbed to about 1.66 million terabytes (TB), representing an almost 47% year-on-year increase, as demand for digital connectivity continues to accelerate across the country.
The figure was disclosed by Dr Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) at the maiden Nigeria Digital Connectivity Investment Forum organised by the telecoms regulator.
Nigerians consumed approximately 1.66 million TB of data in July 2026, compared with about 1.13 million TB in July 2025, according to the NCC chief.
The surge, he said, underscored the rapidly growing demand for telecommunications services and the need for sustained investment in infrastructure to expand network capacity and improve service quality.
Nigerians consumed approximately 1.66 million TB of data in July 2026, compared with about 1.13 million TB in July 2025, according to the NCC chief. The surge, he said, underscored the rapidly growing demand for telecommunications services and the need for sustained investment in infrastructure to expand network capacity and improve service quality.
“Keeping pace will require sustained investment, both to expand networks and to improve the experience of people already connected,” Maida said.
The NCC chief noted that connectivity had become increasingly central to Nigeria’s economic and social activities, with traders relying on digital payments, students accessing online learning platforms and businesses using telecommunications networks to serve customers.
The increasing adoption of cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI) would further deepen the country’s dependence on reliable connectivity.
NCC seeks more telecoms investment
Maida recalled that the Nigerian Communications Act 2003 recognises the importance of encouraging investment in the telecommunications sector and gives the NCC responsibility for facilitating such investment.
The NCC had been working to improve the investment environment through regulatory measures and engagement with sub-national governments to address challenges associated with telecommunications infrastructure deployment, he added.
Maida also identified the 2025 tariff adjustment as one of the measures introduced to address financial pressures facing telecommunications operators and support their capacity to invest. The adjustment, he added, came with a clear expectation that operators would deliver improved services to consumers.
The NCC chief executive further highlighted the Federal Government’s 2024 designation of telecommunications infrastructure as critical national information infrastructure, saying the move strengthened the basis for protecting telecom assets.
For investors, Maida said confidence in the application of regulations and the process through which regulatory decisions are made remained important considerations.
“For investors, that means a clearer understanding of where the opportunities lie and greater confidence in the basis for our decisions,” he said.
He said the Commission was consequently making evidence-based decision-making central to its regulatory approach. The NCC was using data on network performance and market conditions to identify service gaps and areas requiring further investment, he added.
The Commission’s collaboration with Swedfund and Ookla, he explained, was helping the regulator obtain independent insights into the connectivity experience of Nigerians.
The NCC also publishes network performance reports to make relevant evidence available to the wider market, he said.
Nigeria’s digital infrastructure expands
The forum brought together government officials, regulators, investors and other stakeholders to examine opportunities for investment in Nigeria’s digital infrastructure and challenges affecting connectivity expansion.
In her keynote address, Jumoke Oduwole, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, said Nigeria had an enabling policy environment, regulatory coordination and support for commercial viability.
She urged the global business community to see Nigeria not only as a large consumer market but also as a platform from which businesses could serve the wider African market.
Oduwole cited data from the GSMA Mobile Economy Africa 2026 report, which estimated that mobile technologies and services contributed about $240 billion to Africa’s economy in 2025, equivalent to 7.8 per cent of the continent’s GDP and supporting approximately 13 million jobs.
In Nigeria, the telecommunications sector accounted for more than 9 per cent of GDP in the first quarter of 2026.
The minister also highlighted Nigeria’s growing data-centre ecosystem, noting that the country has more than 25 data centres either operational or under construction.
She cited a $120 million hyperscale facility being developed by Airtel’s Nxtra at Eko Atlantic as an example of growing investment in digital infrastructure. The facility is designed to support high-performance computing and artificial intelligence workloads.
Oduwole said infrastructure investment must ultimately translate into economic opportunities by enabling businesses to access markets, make payments, comply with regulations, move data securely and provide services across borders.
She linked the need for stronger digital infrastructure to the African Continental Free Trade Area, arguing that Africa’s physical market integration would remain incomplete if digital markets continued to operate across fragmented digital borders.
The forum therefore placed Nigeria’s record 1.66 million TB monthly data consumption alongside the need to attract investment into telecommunications networks, data centres and other digital infrastructure needed to support the country’s expanding digital economy.
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LA 2028 Olympics Race: Chelle Invites 31 Home-Based Players for Crucial DR Congo U23 AFCON Qualifiers
Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle has invited 31 home-based players to the Olympic Eagles camp ahead of Nigeria’s crucial U23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixtures against the Democratic Republic of Congo, as the country intensifies preparations for a return to Olympic men’s football at Los Angeles 2028.
Sports247 reports that the provisional squad comprises four goalkeepers, nine defenders, eight midfielders and 10 forwards drawn largely from clubs competing in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).
All invited players are expected to report to AM2PM Hotel in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, on Sunday, October 25, ahead of the two-legged qualifying encounter scheduled for November.
Nigeria will travel to Lubumbashi for the first leg against DR Congo at the TP Mazembe Stadium on Friday, November 13, before hosting the return fixture at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne on Tuesday, November 17.
The aggregate winner will progress to the final qualifying round for the U23 AFCON, scheduled to take place in Egypt. The continental tournament will serve as Africa’s qualification pathway for the men’s football competition at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Nigeria received a bye into the second qualifying round, while DR Congo advanced after eliminating Mauritania.
Sporting Lagos have five representatives in the squad, including goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt, defender Hillary Zion, midfielders Victor Samuel and Muhammad Salihu, and forward Ayoola Olaniyan.
Rivers United contribute four players, while Warri Wolves also have four representatives. Ikorodu City, Nasarawa United and Rangers International are among the other clubs represented.
The invitations provide an opportunity for domestic league players to demonstrate their qualities at international level. Nigeria’s men’s football team has enjoyed considerable Olympic success, winning gold at Atlanta 1996, silver at Beijing 2008 and bronze at Rio 2016.
However, the country failed to qualify for the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 tournaments. The upcoming qualifiers therefore represent another opportunity to rebuild Nigeria’s Olympic football ambitions.
With Chelle assembling a squad dominated by domestic talents, attention now turns to preparations in Ijebu-Ode as the Olympic Eagles target a positive result against DR Congo and another step towards Los Angeles 2028.
FULL LIST OF INVITED PLAYERS
Goalkeepers (4): Chinemerem Olughu (Nasarawa United), Clinton Andy (Rivers United), Ebenezer Harcourt (Sporting Lagos), Michael Atata (Ikorodu City).
Defenders (9): Gift Subi (Warri Wolves), Hillary Zion (Sporting Lagos), Emmanuel Utake (Rivers United), Chibueze Oputa (Rangers International), Marvelous Freedom (Ikorodu City), Kenneth Igboke (Rangers International), Odinaka Alfred (Nasarawa United), Emmanuel Ochobi (Rivers United), Aliu Sugau (Barau FC).
Midfielders (8): Freeman Wuchirwe (Bendel Insurance), Victor Samuel (Sporting Lagos), Umar Mohammed (Nasarawa United), Lucky Oraro (Warri Wolves), Aderemi Adeoye (Ikorodu City), Sani Shuaibu (Warri Wolves), Muhammad Salihu (Sporting Lagos), Jude Eventus (Warri Wolves).
Forwards (10): Junior Ikechukwu (Ikorodu City), Timothy Zechariah (Rivers United), Williams Wonah (Enyimba FC), Ayoola Olaniyan (Sporting Lagos), Chijioke Samuel (Enyimba FC), Jofrank Joshua (Nasarawa United), Chimobi Igwilo (Rangers International), Alex Oweifaleya (Bendel Insurance), Abdulmuiz Adeleke (Sporting Supreme), Habila Simon (Wikki Tourists).
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70-TRANSFORMER PROJECT REACHES 98% COMPLETION AS PLATEAU EXPANDS POWER ACCESS
There could be brighter days ahead for Tudun Wada and several other communities across Plateau State, as the state government says its ongoing 70-transformer electricity intervention project has reached 98% completion. ⚡️
The intervention is aimed at improving electricity supply and expanding access to power in communities that have experienced inadequate or unreliable electricity supply.
Among the communities listed to benefit from the intervention are Tudun Wada, Naraguta, Rikkos, Nasarawa, Agingi, Longwa, Zawan and Du, alongside other communities across the state.
💡 TUDUN WADA AMONG BENEFICIARIES
For residents of Tudun Wada, the development could mean improved power capacity for homes, businesses, shops, schools and other community activities.
Reliable electricity remains an important part of everyday life, particularly for small businesses and entrepreneurs who depend on power to operate equipment, preserve goods and provide services.
From barbershops and salons to restaurants, cold-drink businesses, tailoring shops, phone charging centres, printing businesses and other small enterprises, improved electricity supply could help reduce dependence on alternative sources of power.
⚡️ OLD TRANSFORMERS TO BE REFURBISHED
According to the Commissioner for Water Resources and Energy, Hon. Bashir Lawandi Datti, the intervention is not only about installing new transformers.
Some existing and old transformers are also being refurbished and redeployed to areas where they are needed.
This approach is expected to help maximise available infrastructure while extending electricity support to more communities.
🏘️ GOVERNMENT TO PRIORITISE AREAS WITH GREATER NEED
Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang has also approved the relocation of some transformer units to communities considered to have greater electricity needs.
The move is expected to ensure that available power infrastructure is directed to areas where it can have the greatest impact.
With the project now reportedly at 98% completion, attention will be on the final stages of implementation and when the affected communities will begin to fully experience the benefits.
🌟 MORE POWER, MORE OPPORTUNITIES
Electricity is more than just light in our homes.
For local businesses, it can mean longer operating hours, reduced operating costs and increased productivity.
For students, it can provide better conditions for studying at night.
For households, it can bring greater convenience.
And for communities like Tudun Wada, improved electricity supply could support economic activities and contribute to a better quality of life.
💡 More transformers.
⚡️ More communities.
🏘️ More access to electricity.
📈 More opportunities for Plateau residents.
But the big question remains:
👇 TUDUN WADA RESIDENTS, HOW HAS ELECTRICITY SUPPLY BEEN IN YOUR AREA RECENTLY?
Are you already noticing an improvement, or are you still waiting for the intervention to take effect?
Tell us your area and your experience in the comments. 👇
#JosEvents #PlateauState #TudunWada #Jos #Electricity #PowerSupply #PlateauNews #JosNews #Plateau #CommunityDevelopment #MorePowerMoreOpportunities
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