Nigeria’s telecoms sector is entering a new phase of digital intensity, with data consumption crossing four million terabytes in the first quarter of 2026, even as teledensity climbed to 85.67%, according to the telecoms regulator, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
Dr Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman, NCC. Image credit: NCC/X.
The surge in consumption comes as Nigeria’s telecoms penetration approaches saturation, with teledensity rising to 85.67% and total active subscriptions reaching 185.5 million during the same period. The figures point to a market that is no longer defined primarily by how many people are connected, but by how much data they consume.
NCC’s industry statistics show that Nigerians consumed a total of 4,068,360.85 terabytes of data between January and March 2026, reflecting the growing centrality of internet usage in everyday life, from streaming and social media to financial services and enterprise connectivity.
Month
January 2026
February 2026
March 2026
Terabytes
1,385,536.04
1,260,060.27
1,422,764.54
A monthly breakdown of the figures shows that data usage stood at 1,385,536.04 terabytes in January, declined to 1,260,060.27 terabytes in February, and rose again to 1,422,764.54 terabytes in March, highlighting both the scale and fluctuations in demand across networks.
The surge in data consumption comes as Nigeria’s telecoms penetration approaches saturation, with teledensity rising to 85.67% and total active subscriptions reaching 185.5 million during the same period. The figures point to a market that is no longer defined primarily by how many people are connected, but by how much data they consume.
According to the regulator’s data, MTN Nigeria maintained its lead with 95.7 million subscribers, representing 51.62% share, after adding about 2.6 million new users in the first quarter.
Image credit: NCC.
Airtel Nigeria remained the second-largest operator with 63.6 million subscribers and a 34.3% share, recording the highest net additions of 2.7 million new connections during the period.
Image credit: NCC.
In contrast, Globacom continued its gradual recovery, ending the quarter with 22.6 million subscribers after adding just over 414,000 new lines, while T2 Mobile recorded 3.4 million subscribers, reflecting its limited footprint despite recent restructuring efforts
Image credit: NCC.
Image credit: NCC.
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The widening gap between the top two operators and smaller players underscores how scale is becoming increasingly important in a data-driven market. With millions of terabytes flowing across networks, operators with deeper infrastructure and wider coverage are better positioned to capture value.
To meet rising demand, telecoms companies are ramping up investments in network expansion and capacity upgrades. MTN Nigeria disclosed that it invested about ₦1 trillion in 2025 to expand fibre infrastructure, deploy additional base stations, and strengthen network capacity nationwide.
Similarly, Airtel Nigeria has expanded its network footprint significantly, while Globacom has undertaken a nationwide upgrade to improve data speeds and reduce congestion. T2 Mobile is also rebuilding its network through a partnership with Huawei as part of its turnaround strategy.
Despite the strong growth in both subscriptions and data usage, operators are contending with rising operational costs. MTN Nigeria reported a 41.8% increase in service revenue to ₦1.5 trillion in Q1 2026, with profit after tax rising by 165.9% to ₦355.5 billion, but warned that high diesel prices could weigh on margins for the full year.
As Nigeria moves closer to universal telecoms access, the industry’s next phase will likely be defined not by how many people are connected, but by the quality, speed, and affordability of the data services powering an increasingly digital economy.
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The House of Representatives Candidate of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) for the Jos North/Bassa Federal Constituency, Hon. Dr. Danjuma Sanda, on Monday led a distinguished delegation of party leaders, candidates, stakeholders, and supporters on a royal courtesy visit to His Royal Majesty, the Ujah Anaguta, to seek royal blessings, prayers, and fatherly counsel as preparations intensify for the 2027 general elections.
The visit reaffirmed the campaign’s commitment to engaging critical stakeholders, strengthening community relationships, and recognizing the invaluable role of traditional institutions in promoting peace, unity, and sustainable development.
The delegation included the Plateau State Chairman of the Young Progressives Party (YPP), Hon. Samson Luka, the YPP Candidate for Jos North North State Constituency, Hon. Galadima Azi Itse, party executives, elders, women and youth leaders, religious leaders, community stakeholders, supporters, and well-wishers.
Welcoming the delegation, His Royal Majesty, the Ujah Anaguta, commended the peaceful conduct of the campaign and offered prayers for divine wisdom, protection, and success. The royal father urged all political actors to conduct issue-based campaigns that promote peace, unity, and the collective progress of the people.
Quote from Hon. Dr. Danjuma Sanda
“Today, we have come before our revered royal father with humility and respect to seek his blessings and prayers. Traditional institutions remain the moral compass of our communities, and their guidance is essential in building a peaceful, united, and prosperous society. Our aspiration is not merely about winning an election; it is about offering purposeful representation, restoring hope, and ensuring that every community in Jos North and Bassa has a stronger voice at the National Assembly.”
Dr. Sanda further reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to transparent leadership, quality representation, youth and women empowerment, improved education, accessible healthcare, infrastructure development, economic opportunities, and policies that directly improve the lives of the people.
A Campaign Built on Unity and Service
The visit also provided an opportunity for meaningful interaction with community leaders, religious leaders, party faithful, and supporters, who reiterated their confidence in the YPP’s vision and pledged their continued support for candidates committed to integrity, accountability, and people-centred governance.
The presence of senior party leaders and stakeholders underscored the growing strength and unity within the Young Progressives Party, as well as the increasing momentum behind Hon. Dr. Danjuma Sanda’s campaign across Jos North/Bassa Federal Constituency.
The campaign believes that lasting development can only be achieved through collaboration with traditional institutions, religious leaders, community stakeholders, and the people whose mandate it seeks.
As consultations continue across the constituency, Hon. Dr. Danjuma Sanda remains committed to running a peaceful, inclusive, and issue-driven campaign focused on delivering effective representation and sustainable development for every community.
Media Contact
Directorate of Media and Publicity Hon. Dr. Danjuma Sanda Campaign Organization Young Progressives Party (YPP) Jos North/Bassa Federal Constituency Plateau State, Nigerian.
The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has said that the President Bola Tinubu administration will be held responsible if anything happens to former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai.
The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Bolaji Abdullahi, made this assertion in an interview on Symfoni TV.
Abdullahi said El-Rufai’s detention is not about the law, justice or crime but about politics.
“If anything happens to El-Rufai while he remains in state custody, President Bola Tinubu and his administration will bear full responsibility.
“El-Rufai is not being held today because he committed any crime. That would have been left for the court to decide. Let the court pronounce that he is guilty or is not guilty.
“But to continue to hold him interminably speaks to something else, and that is why it is clear to us that the desire or the intention of this APC government is to continue to hold El-Rufai to ensure that he does not participate in this election and strengthen the opposition. That is exactly what they plan to do.
“This same El-Rufai fought for President Bola Tinubu when when everyone in the Muhammadu Buhari’s cabinet didn’t want him,” he said.