Nigeria’s digital economy is entering a new phase of growth as internet traffic hit 1,152,347.24 terabytes (TB) in August 2025, according to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). According to Business AM Live, this marks the highest monthly usage so far this year, up from 1,131,255.90 TB recorded in July.
The steady rise in internet consumption reflects Nigerians’ increasing reliance on digital platforms for work, learning, banking, shopping, and entertainment. At the same time, mobile network operators (MNOs) are experiencing renewed growth in subscriptions, signalling an ongoing shift in the country’s communication habits.
Table of Contents
Broadband Subscriptions and Mobile Growth
The NCC’s August report also revealed a jump in broadband penetration. Nigeria now boasts 105,158,577 broadband subscriptions, representing 48.81% of the population, compared to 104,068,105 subscriptions (48.01%) in July.
Mobile subscriptions mirrored this upward trend. Active lines across the four major operators rose to 171.3 million in August, from 169 million the previous month. Leading the pack was Airtel, which gained about 1.5 million new customers, raising its base to 58 million users.
MTN, the market leader, added 499,540 new connections, bringing its total to 89.6 million. Globacom also saw modest growth with 173,244 additional users, pushing its subscriber base to 20.9 million. Meanwhile, T2 Mobile (formerly 9mobile) maintained stability with roughly 2.7 million subscribers, showing no significant change from July.
These figures show that competition in the mobile sector remains intense, with Airtel and MTN driving most of the gains while other operators battle to retain their share of the market.
Market Share and Teledensity
In terms of market share, MTN continues to dominate Nigeria’s telecoms space, controlling 52.31% of all active lines. Airtel follows with 33.89%, while Globacom accounts for 12.21%. T2 Mobile trails behind with just 1.6%.
The country’s teledensity — the number of active telephone lines per 100 people — also improved, rising from 78.11% in July to 79.14% in August. This growth indicates that mobile access is becoming more widespread, helping bridge connectivity gaps across the population.
However, experts note that while more Nigerians are gaining access to mobile and broadband services, service quality remains uneven. Urban centres tend to enjoy faster internet speeds and better coverage, while many rural areas still lag behind.
Why Usage Is Rising and What Lies Ahead
The surge in internet traffic can be traced to multiple factors. Nigerians are increasingly dependent on online platforms for everything from financial transactions to social networking and content streaming. With more businesses digitising operations and schools integrating e-learning, data demand continues to soar.
On the supply side, mobile operators are expanding their networks, upgrading infrastructure, and exploring partnerships to enhance service quality. Airtel’s aggressive subscriber growth, for instance, is partly linked to recent investments in expanding 4G coverage. MTN, though growing more slowly, continues to benefit from its strong brand and vast network reach.
Yet, the picture is not without challenges. Data affordability remains a stumbling block for many households. Despite higher adoption rates, some Nigerians still find internet costs restrictive. Power supply issues, fibre cuts, and network congestion also undermine service quality.
Looking forward, analysts say Nigeria’s mobile market is poised for deeper transformation. The near-50% broadband penetration rate suggests that half of the country’s population remains untapped. Bridging this gap could unlock significant socio-economic benefits, from digital trade and innovation to healthcare and education delivered online.
But achieving this will depend on a mix of factors: consistent regulatory oversight, stronger infrastructure investment, and policies that prioritise consumer protection and affordability. If these elements align, the country’s internet usage could soar even higher, reinforcing Nigeria’s role as Africa’s largest digital market.
Conclusion
Nigeria’s record-breaking 1.15 million terabytes of internet usage in August is more than just a statistic — it is evidence of how fast the country is embracing a digital lifestyle. With mobile operators adding millions of new subscribers and broadband access expanding, the foundation for a more connected Nigeria is being laid.
Still, the road ahead demands attention to affordability, infrastructure, and service quality. If tackled effectively, Nigeria’s growing appetite for data could be harnessed as a powerful driver of inclusive economic growth.
Join Our Social Media Channels:
WhatsApp: NaijaEyes
Facebook: NaijaEyes
Twitter: NaijaEyes
Instagram: NaijaEyes
TikTok: NaijaEyes
