Nigeria’s telecommunications regulator has said it will take a firmer approach to consumer protection in 2026, as ongoing service disruptions and network congestion continue to frustrate subscribers despite renewed investment and rising broadband penetration.
The Nigerian Communications Commission said telecom operators expanded network infrastructure in 2025, pushing broadband penetration beyond the 50 per cent mark for the first time. However, the commission acknowledged that improvements in service quality are yet to be consistently experienced across the country.
In a New Year address reviewing sector performance and outlining priorities, the regulator said telecom companies deployed more than 2,800 new and upgraded network sites during the year. This expansion lifted broadband subscriptions to about 109.6 million by December, up from 96.3 million recorded a year earlier. Broadband penetration increased to 50.58 per cent from 44.43 per cent at the end of 2024.
The rebound represents a turning point after several years of subdued investment caused by foreign exchange shortages, rising energy costs and infrastructure challenges. Despite the recovery, the commission said consumers continue to experience patchy data speeds, frequent outages and slow resolution of complaints.
“While network performance is not yet where we want it to be in all locations, measurable improvements were recorded over the year,” Aminu Maida, executive vice chairman and chief executive officer of the NCC, said.
According to the regulator, fourth-generation networks now account for about 52 per cent of mobile connections nationwide, surpassing 2G, which still represents roughly 38 per cent of total connections. Median 4G download speeds rose by 24 per cent to around 20 megabits per second in 2025, while average speeds increased by 18 per cent to approximately 33 Mbps.
The NCC said 4G performance remains the most reliable indicator of everyday user experience, as it continues to serve as Nigeria’s dominant broadband access technology.
At the same time, rising data consumption is placing renewed pressure on mobile networks. Monthly mobile data usage increased from about 518,000 terabytes in early 2023 to more than 1.23 million terabytes by November 2025, representing growth of roughly 140 per cent in less than three years.
The surge has intensified congestion in high-density urban areas and reinforced the need for sustained investment in network capacity, fibre backhaul and infrastructure resilience, even as coverage continues to expand.
The regulator said consumers still face inconsistent data speeds in certain locations, service disruptions linked to power outages and fibre cuts, as well as delayed resolution of complaints.
Telecom operators, meanwhile, are contending with high operating costs, right-of-way challenges, vandalism and theft of infrastructure, factors which slow network expansion and undermine service quality.
Against this backdrop, the NCC said consumer protection and service quality will be at the heart of its regulatory agenda in 2026.
“If consumers do not experience reliable and affordable service, the sector loses trust, and if operators cannot invest sustainably, the sector cannot grow,” Maida said, adding that restoring balance between consumers and operators is critical for long-term stability.
The commission said it will intensify quality-of-service monitoring, strengthen incident-reporting requirements and push for faster escalation and resolution of major network failures, particularly in high-traffic areas and persistent coverage black spots.
It also pledged stricter oversight of tariffs, billing accuracy and customer-care standards, alongside clearer communication with consumers during major service disruptions.
One area where enforcement is already producing results is transaction reversals. Working with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the regulator said consumers are now receiving refunds for failed airtime and data purchases within enforceable service-level timelines.
Beyond connectivity, the NCC said it is expanding its regulatory focus to online safety as internet usage deepens across the economy. Tools such as the Internet Code of Practice are being strengthened to address fraud, impersonation, cyberbullying and harmful content, while improving cybersecurity resilience.
The regulator said its outlook aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s goal of building a $1 trillion digital economy by 2030, with the telecommunications sector positioned as a key driver of productivity and innovation.
National infrastructure initiatives, including Project BRIDGE, which targets up to 90,000 kilometres of fibre deployment, are expected to strengthen Nigeria’s digital backbone and enhance broadband performance nationwide.
The NCC also said it will operationalise a revised Corporate Governance Code for the communications sector in 2026, tightening board-level accountability and reinforcing market discipline.
“The gains recorded in 2025 show what is possible. The task ahead is to deepen those gains, close remaining gaps and raise service standards across the board,” the regulator said.
