The Nigerian telecommunications industry attracted over $1 billion in capital investments in 2025 leading to the deployment of over 2,850 new network sites nationwide.
The Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr Aminu Maida, said in the fourth quarter 2025 Network Performance Reports of the NCC that the investments expanded both network coverage and capacity, while aiding improvements in service quality recorded in the fourth quarter of 2025.
He disclosed that the Network Performance Reports released on Wednesday, is an industry assessment developed in collaboration with global internet analytics firm, Ookla, to measure real-world network performance across urban centres, rural communities, highways and emerging 5G zones.
Maida noted that the reports showed steady gains in network quality, with improvements in median download speeds across both urban and rural areas compared to the previous quarter, alongside a narrowing video Quality of Experience gap and a strengthening 4G backbone nationwide.
“These reports enable us to track progress, identify gaps, and guide targeted regulatory interventions—ranging from spectrum optimisation and infrastructure upgrades to quality-of-service enforcement and the expansion of rural connectivity.
“The data shows clear and steady improvements in network quality, particularly in median download speeds across both urban and rural areas, especially when compared to Q3 performance. Notably, the video Quality of Experience gap between urban and rural areas has narrowed, and the strength of our 4G backbone continues to improve.
“In 2025, over $1 billion in industry investment resulted in the deployment of more than 2,850 new sites to expand both coverage and capacity nationwide. Much of the progress reflected in today’s reports is a direct outcome of these investments,” he said.
According to Maida, the report reflects the NCC’s commitment to transparent, data-driven regulation and the continuous improvement of Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.
Despite the progress, the NCC boss acknowledged persistent gaps in 5G availability, upload speeds and mobile service coverage, noting that regulatory engagements with operators are ongoing to address these disparities.
He assured that the operators have committed to exceed their 2025 investment levels in 2026, signalling sustained capital inflows into network expansion and upgrades as the commission pushes for broader connectivity and improved quality of service nationwide.
Speaking on the importance of the report, the NCC boss said that the Commission was already using insights from the new reports to guide infrastructure upgrades, strengthen quality standards and enforce congestion management measures aimed at improving real Quality of Experience and not just nominal coverage.
According to him, the combined findings mark a turning point in how connectivity is assessed in Nigeria and that the focus is shifting from where networks exist to how well they work, how they affect devices, and whether they truly support daily digital life.
Concluding, Maida reiterated that for consumers, the message is that slow internet, fast-draining batteries and overheating phones are often symptoms of deeper network quality issues, while for the regulators and operators the challenge ahead is to ensure that coverage, speed and signal quality align so that being connected truly means being online, productive and included in Nigeria’s digital future.
GIK/APA