Raphael Iloka, manager of Sales and Marketing at the Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria (IXPN), has called for Nigeria to broaden its Autonomous System Numbers (ASN) landscape as part of ongoing efforts to advance digital inclusion nationwide.
Iloka, who made a presentation at the Nigeria Network Operators Group (NGNOG) Conference recently in Abuja on “Nigeria ASN Analysis 2025 – Insight into Network Growth Distribution and Connectivity Trends,” disclosed that the majority of ASNs are concentrated in Lagos, Abuja, Rivers, Kano, Oyo, Ogun, and Osun.
These cities, according to him serve as primary digital and commercial hubs, a concentration which highlighted significant regional disparities in network access.
Iloka’s analysis revealed a fluctuating growth trend in Nigeria’s ASN count over the past three years. The total number of ASNs dropped from 269 in 2023 to 256 in 2024, a 4.8% decline.
However, the count has since rebounded to 271 in 2025, indicating a healthy growth of 5.9% from the previous year. This rebound suggests an expansion in internet services, likely driven by increased demand for digital services or existing network upgrades.
Despite the recent growth, the report underscores a significant gap when comparing Nigeria to other nations. Autonomous System Numbers (ASNs) allocated to a country are a key indicator of its internet infrastructure development and connectivity.
Nigeria currently holds 271 ASNs. In contrast, South Africa leads the continent with 742 ASNs. Globally, Germany ranks 7th with over 3,100 ASNs, while Brazil leads all nations with over 9,000 ASNs, showcasing its highly advanced internet infrastructure.
Furthermore, Africa as a whole has only 2,452 ASNs, according to AFRINIC records, which calls for intense continental digital infrastructure development. These figures clearly highlight the urgent need for sustained investment and development in Nigeria’s internet infrastructure.
The Nigeria ASN Analysis 2025 offered several key positive observations: 15 new ASN allocations point to an ongoing expansion in Nigeria’s digital infrastructure, and with only one ASN delisting in 2025, the country shows improved stability in ASN management.
The new ASNs are held by a diverse range of organizations, including ISPs, enterprises, and financial institutions, which showcases a diverse and maturing digital ecosystem.
However, the analysis concluded that the concentration remains a core challenge. While there is gradual expansion, the majority of networks are still concentrated in key commercial hubs, leaving 15 states still lacking active ASNs.
Iloka stressed that the ASN landscape in Nigeria reflects a maturing Internet ecosystem, one that’s expanding in diversity, capacity, and strategic significance.
He concluded by calling for action:
“To fully harness its potential, there is a need for stronger regional participation, improved interconnectivity, and sustained collaboration across networks to drive true digital inclusion and national resilience,” he said.
