Nigerians spent an estimated N6.6 trillion on internet data between June 2025 and May 2026, reflecting a significant expansion of digital activities nationwide.
This estimate, derived from Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) usage figures and an average data value of N431 per gigabyte, does not represent the actual revenue earned by telecom operators.
Nigerians Consumed 15.32 Billion GB of Data
NCC data indicates that Nigerians consumed approximately 15.32 million terabytes of internet data over the 12-month period. This equates to roughly 15.32 billion GB.
Applying the N431 average benchmark to the total consumption yields an estimated value of about N6.6 trillion.
The N431 figure is an approximation and not an official industry-wide retail price. Actual customer costs vary based on network provider, technology, subscription plan, promotions, and validity period.
Before a 50% tariff adjustment approved in January 2025 and implemented in February, the average regulated price for 1GB of mobile data was around N287.50. The benchmark subsequently rose to N431.25, though actual retail prices often ranged from approximately N475 to N637.50 depending on the operator and package.
The consumption figures encompass major mobile networks like Airtel, MTN, T2, and Globacom, as well as internet traffic from other licensed providers and technologies, including fixed wired networks, internet service providers, and Voice over Internet Protocol services.
Data Consumption Hits Record High
Internet usage generally increased throughout the period, with some month-to-month fluctuations.
Consumption rose from about 1.04 million TB in June 2025 to 1.13 million TB in July and 1.15 million TB in August. It remained relatively stable in September before exceeding 1.2 million TB in October and November.
Usage then surged to approximately 1.39 million TB in December and stayed around that level in January 2026. It dipped to about 1.26 million TB in February before recovering to 1.42 million TB in March and 1.41 million TB in April.
By May, monthly consumption reached a record 1.50 million TB, a roughly 44% increase from the June 2025 level.
This sustained growth highlights the increasing reliance on internet-based services such as social media, streaming, digital payments, e-commerce, remote work, and other technology-driven activities.
MTN Data Revenue Rises 38%
The surge in data usage is also contributing to increased earnings for telecommunications companies.
MTN Nigeria, the country's largest mobile network operator, reported N1.699 trillion in revenue from data services in the first half of 2026, a 38.3% increase from the N1.229 trillion recorded in the same period of 2025.
However, the rise in internet traffic also places considerable pressure on network operators. As customer data consumption grows, telecom companies must continuously expand their capacity and invest in infrastructure to handle the increased traffic.
These investments include spectrum, fiber-optic networks, transmission infrastructure, base stations, and data centers. Operators also face escalating energy, maintenance, and other operational costs to keep their networks running.
The increasing value of internet consumption in Nigeria thus underscores both aspects of the digital economy: expanding demand creates significant revenue opportunities, while the infrastructure needed to support this growth becomes progressively more expensive.
