The year 2025 was a pivotal turning point for the communications sector, characterized by returning investment momentum and significant network expansion.
This was based on a comprehensive newsletter from Dr. Aminu Maida, the executive vice chairman of the NCC, in which he gave insights into the 2025 performances and disclosed the Commission’s outlook for 2026.
Here is a summary of the 2025 milestones and the strategic roadmap for 2026.
Key Infrastructure & Connectivity Growth
- Site Deployment: Operators deployed over 2,800 new and upgraded sites, drastically improving national coverage and capacity.
- Broadband Surge: Subscriptions jumped by 6%, rising from 96.3 million to 6 million.
- Penetration Rate: National broadband penetration increased from 44.43% to 58% over the 12-month period.
- 4G Dominance: 4G is now the primary technology for Nigerians, accounting for 52% of all connections, while 2G has dropped to 38%.
- 5G Expansion: 5G coverage reached approximately 13% of the population and continues to grow.
Measurable Speed Improvements
Network performance saw double-digit growth between December 2024 and December 2025:
- Median 4G Download Speeds: Increased by 24% (from 16 Mbps to 20 Mbps).
- Average 4G Download Speeds: Increased by 18% (from 28 Mbps to 33 Mbps).
2026 Strategy: The “Consumer-First” Roadmap
For 2026, the NCC is shifting its primary focus toward the Quality of Experience(QoE) for the Nigerian consumer.
What Consumers Should Expect
- Financial Accountability: Prompt value reversal for failed airtime or data recharges.
- Billing Transparency: Introduction of simpler, more transparent tariffs and data bundles.
- Better Support: Improved customer care with faster resolution of escalated complaints.
- Digital Safety: Enhanced protection against fraud, cyberbullying, and harmful content through the strengthening of the Internet Code of Practice.
What the NCC Will Prioritise
The EVC said that Project BRIDGE is one of the top priorities of the Commission as it aligns with the Federal Government’s plan to accelerating large-scale fibre deployment, targeting 90,000km nationwide to improve network resilience.
He said the Commission will also pursue corporate governance by ensuring the operationalising a revised Corporate Governance Code to hold operator boards and management accountable for performance.
Other priority areas for the Commission, according Dr. Maida, are data-driven access by Leveraging data to identify areas with limited connectivity and applying incentives to ensure no Nigerian is digitally excluded
Critical infrastructure protection: Continued collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and NSCDC to reduce vandalism and theft of telecom equipment.
2025 vs. 2026 Vision
| Metric / Goal | 2025 Achievement | 2026 Target/Priority |
| Broadband Penetration |
50.58% |
Closing gaps in unserved communities |
| Data Usage |
1.23 Million Terabytes |
Managing network strain via capacity investment |
| Customer Rights |
Refund SLAs established |
Stricter enforcement of billing accuracy |
| Infrastructure |
2,800+ New/Upgraded Sites |
90,000km Fibre Deployment (Project BRIDGE) |
“If consumers do not experience reliable and affordable service, the sector loses trust… our approach remains balanced: better service for consumers and a stable environment for investment,” Dr. Aminu Maida, EVC/CEO of NCC.
Read a similar report by Techeconomy here.
