The move follows a consumer protection directive issued by the Commission requiring operators to compensate subscribers in areas where prescribed Quality of Service (QoS) standards were not met.

At its 109th Board Meeting held on May 25, 2026, the NCC said it had reviewed the implementation of the directive and noted substantial progress, with operators reporting full compliance that resulted in compensation being offered to more than 75 million affected subscribers.

However, the Commission stressed that it was not relying solely on operators’ submissions and was continuing efforts to independently validate the claims to ensure that all eligible subscribers receive the compensation due to them.

“The Board further acknowledged ongoing efforts to independently validate operators’ claims and ensure all eligible subscribers receive compensation due to them while encouraging consumers to continue their engagement with the Commission,” the regulator said in a communiqué issued after the meeting and made available to Techeconomy.

The compensation initiative is one of the largest consumer redress exercises undertaken in Nigeria’s telecommunications sector and signals a more outcome-driven approach to regulation, linking service quality failures directly to consumer remedies.

Beyond subscriber compensation, the Board also reviewed compliance with a separate directive requiring Tower Companies (TowerCos) to reinvest regulatory fines into infrastructure upgrades aimed at improving network resilience and service delivery.

While noting progress, the Board observed that infrastructure providers had only partially complied with the requirement to fund escrow accounts with the full value of regulatory fines earmarked for reinvestment.

The NCC warned that full compliance remains critical to achieving sustainable improvements in network quality and infrastructure performance.

The Board’s review comes amid broader efforts by operators to improve service quality through infrastructure expansion.

According to the Commission, mobile operators have planned the deployment of more than 12,000 additional coverage and capacity sites, with over 5,000 already completed, representing more than 40 per cent implementation progress.

The Commission also disclosed that fibre connectivity has been extended to more than 700 sites, while infrastructure sharing companies have upgraded equipment across over 2,000 Base Transceiver Stations (BTS) to support network expansion and improve compliance with QoS obligations.

Industry observers say the NCC’s decision to independently verify compensation claims underscores its growing emphasis on accountability, transparency and measurable consumer outcomes in the telecommunications sector.

The operators, under the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), said much of the money currently funding network expansion and infrastructure development comes from domestic financing, reinvested earnings and other funding channels that are not fully captured by the National Bureau of Statistics’ capital importation framework.

The reaction follows the release of the NBS Capital Importation Report for the first quarter of 2026, which showed that foreign capital inflows into telecommunications dropped from $80.78 million a year earlier to $7.24 million.

According to the report, telecoms accounted for just 0.07% of the $10.37 billion that entered the Nigerian economy during the quarter.

ALTON said the figure presents only part of the investment picture.

“…this metric appears to capture only a portion of the total capital actively deployed within the sector.

“Our industry’s substantial Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) figures suggest that current investment derives from domestic capital sources, reinvested operational earnings – financial mechanisms that may not be fully reflected in conventional foreign capital importation metrics,” the association said.

The group noted that mobile network operators, tower companies and other telecom firms invested about N2.13 trillion in capital projects in 2025. It added that planned capital expenditure for 2026 currently stands at N1.86 trillion.

According to ALTON, the funds are being directed towards network expansion, infrastructure upgrades, technology improvements and measures aimed at strengthening operational resilience.

The association argued that the wide gap between reported foreign inflows and actual spending within the industry points to shortcomings in the current method used to track investments.

To address this, it called for collaboration between the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the National Bureau of Statistics and the Central Bank of Nigeria to develop a comprehensive framework for measuring investment in the telecom sector.

“To ensure Nigeria’s telecommunications sector investment profile is accurately represented, ALTON respectfully proposes a collaborative engagement among the Nigerian Communications Commission, the National Bureau of Statistics, and the Central Bank of Nigeria to develop a more inclusive and comprehensive investment-tracking framework,” the association stated.

Despite pressure from inflation, high costs of operations and foreign exchange challenges, ALTON said operators have always invested heavily to maintain service quality and expand connectivity across the country.

The association also credited the Federal Government’s approval of a 50% tariff increase in 2025 with improving operators’ ability to reinvest in their networks.

“The timely intervention enabled operators to transition from financial distress to a sustainable, growth-focused model characterised by significant capital reinvestment,” it said.

While telecom operators questioned the reported investment figure, the NBS data showed that foreign investors significantly increased their exposure to Nigeria during the quarter.

Total capital importation rose to $10.37 billion in Q1 2026, representing an 83.8% increase from $5.64 billion recorded in the same period last year. Compared with the previous quarter, inflows climbed by nearly 61%.

However, most of the money flowed into short-term financial assets rather than long-term productive investments.

Portfolio investments accounted for $9.86 billion, or about 95% of total inflows, while foreign direct investment stood at just $135 million. Other investments, including loans and trade credits, contributed $374.5 million.

The banking sector attracted the largest share of foreign capital, receiving $7.55 billion, followed by the financing sector with $2.43 billion. Manufacturing drew $152.3 million, while telecommunications received $7.24 million.

According to data published by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and corroborated by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Industry Statistics, the sector posted 8.12% of real GDP in Q4 2025, representing a year-on-year (YoY) increase from the comparable figure of 7.29% recorded under the rebased GDP framework in Q4 2024.

This amounts to a YoY percentage-point increase of approximately 0.83 percentage points, translating to a percentage increase of roughly 11.4%.

On a full-year basis, the telecom sector contributed 8.3% to Nigeria’s real GDP in 2025 compared to 8.1% in 2024, while in absolute nominal terms, the sector’s GDP contribution surged from N17.2 trillion in 2024 to N18.5 trillion in 2025, a nominal increase of N1.3 trillion.

The sector’s real growth rate in Q4 2025 stood at an impressive 26.34% year-on-year, an acceleration of 8.37 percentage points over the 17.97% recorded in Q4 2024.

These figures underscore the centrality of telecommunications to Nigeria’s economic architecture, positioning the sector as the fourth-largest contributor to real GDP, trailing only crop production, trade, and real estate.

This report analyses the data in full, examines the drivers behind the performance, and explores the broader economic implications for Nigeria’s digital economy.

Key Statistics at a Glance

NOTICE: Nigeria’s NBS rebased its GDP in 2025, adopting a new base year and incorporating additional sectors and activities. Under the pre-rebasing framework (used up to 2024 reporting), telecoms contributed 14.40% to GDP in Q4 2024. Under the new rebased framework, the same Q4 2024 figure is expressed as approximately 7.29% (Telecoms & Information Services sub-sector). For consistency, this report uses post-rebasing figures (8.12% vs 7.29%) for the primary YoY comparison. Where pre-rebasing figures are cited, they are clearly labelled. Both datasets confirm the same directional truth: the sector grew.

The Data: Quarterly GDP Performance

Q4 2025 – Telecom GDP Contribution

In Q4 2025, Nigeria’s telecommunications and information services sub-sector contributed 8.12% to the nation’s real GDP, according to the NBS Q4 2025 GDP Report released on 27 February 2026. This places telecommunications as the fourth-largest contributor to Nigeria’s real GDP during the quarter, behind crop production (20.44%), trade (16.84%), and real estate (14.57%).

The sector’s Q4 2025 real GDP growth rate stood at 26.34% year-on-year, which was 8.37 percentage points above the 17.97% recorded in Q4 2024.

Quarter-on-quarter, it was 5.46 percentage points above the preceding quarter (Q3 2025), reflecting a strong acceleration into the year-end. Nigeria’s nominal GDP for Q4 2025 rose to N122.81 trillion, up 17.55% year-on-year from N104.48 trillion in Q4 2024.

Q4 2024 – Baseline Period

In Q4 2024, the telecom sub-sector contributed 14.40% to real GDP under the pre-rebasing framework (the figure widely cited by NCC and NBS at the time), or 7.29% under the post-rebased comparable measure.

The sector’s growth rate was 17.97% in Q4 2024, already signalling strong momentum, while the broader ICT sector contributed 17.00% (pre-rebasing) to real GDP.

Nigeria’s real GDP grew 3.84% in Q4 2024, driven primarily by the services sector. Telecommunications ranked as the third-largest contributor to real GDP in that quarter, behind crop production (23.42%) and trade (15.11%).

Year-on-Year Comparison Table

Drivers of Q4 2025 Growth

| Infrastructure Investment Boom

A defining feature of 2025 was the unprecedented scale of infrastructure spending by Nigeria’s telecom operators.

The NCC disclosed that operators collectively added approximately 2,800 new towers during the year and committed more than $1 billion to fibre-optic rollout and network upgrades across the country.

MTN Nigeria more than doubled its capital expenditure to N1 trillion in 2025, compared to N443.5 billion in 2024, accelerating modernisation of its radio and core networks, and launching its Tier III Dabengwa Data Centre in Lagos.

Airtel Nigeria secured a Direct-to-Cell partnership with Starlink and more than doubled the number of active 5G sites.

It reported a 52.2% year-on-year revenue surge to $1.13 billion for the nine months ending December 2025.

Globacom deployed new base stations, expanded its backbone, and rolled out hybrid battery power systems at numerous sites.

| Data and Subscriber Growth

Nigeria’s active telecom subscriptions rose from approximately 164.9 million in December 2024 to 179.6 million by December 2025, an addition of roughly 14.7 million subscribers in a single year. Broadband penetration crossed the 50% mark, ending 2025 at 51.97%, compared to approximately 45% at end-2024.

Data consumption surged dramatically: 148 million Nigerian internet users consumed approximately 1.4 million terabytes of data in December 2025 alone, illustrating the deepening reliance on digital services for commerce, entertainment, and financial transactions.

In the first quarter of 2026, Nigerians spent N3.33 trillion on data, an indication of the continuing trajectory.

| Tariff Adjustment Impact

The NCC approved a 50% average tariff adjustment in early 2025, the first such increase in over a decade, following sustained pressure from operators citing rising costs from currency depreciation and energy price inflation.

While consumer groups raised concerns, the adjustment contributed directly to higher nominal revenue for operators, boosting the sector’s GDP contribution in naira terms.

| 5G Expansion

The year saw notable acceleration in 5G network rollout. MTN and Airtel both significantly expanded their 5G footprints, while the NCC provided regulatory support through spectrum management and right-of-way facilitation.

The percentage of subscribers on 5G networks rose from 2.46% in December 2024 to 3.77% by December 2025, with Q1 2026 showing further acceleration to 4.20%.

Quarterly Trend: Full 2025 Picture

To contextualise Q4 2025, it is instructive to review the entire 2025 performance trajectory across all four quarters:

Q4 2025 recorded the highest nominal quarterly contribution (N5.2 trillion) and the highest real growth rate (26.34% YoY) of the year.

The dip in Q3 reflected seasonal patterns and temporary infrastructure pressures, but the year-end surge demonstrates the resilience of the sector and the compounding effects of investments made earlier in the year.

Economic Implications

Digital Economy as Growth Engine

Telecommunications no longer functions merely as a utility sector, it has become a structural engine of Nigeria’s economic growth. Its role as the backbone of fintech, e-commerce, and digital government services means that each percentage point of telecom growth generates multiplier effects across the broader economy.

The financial and insurance sector, which grew 27.78% in Q4 2024 and remains one of the fastest-growing sectors, is deeply dependent on telecom infrastructure for mobile money, digital banking, and payment processing.

Employment and SME Ecosystem

The expansion of broadband infrastructure and digital services has created direct and indirect employment across Nigeria’s 36 states. Mobile internet access enables micro-enterprises, market traders, artisans, and freelancers to access digital payment platforms, online marketplaces, and e-government services. The NCC’s rural broadband initiative through the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) has extended connectivity to underserved areas, progressively drawing more Nigerians into the formal digital economy.

Foreign Direct Investment Signal

The strong Q4 2025 telecom performance coincides with growing investor interest in Nigeria’s digital sector. Analysts project an 8% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for Nigeria’s telecom sector through 2028.

The NCC under Executive Vice Chairman, Dr. Aminu Maida has championed a regulatory environment designed to be merit-based, investor-friendly, and focused on transparency.

This has attracted renewed scrutiny from sovereign wealth funds and private equity investors eyeing Nigeria’s digital infrastructure as a long-term asset class.

The Path to 25% GDP Contribution

The NCC and the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy have set an ambitious target: raising the telecom sector’s contribution to 25% of GDP.

While the current 8.12% (rebased) figure may appear distant from that goal, it is critical to note that under the pre-rebasing framework, the sector was already contributing approximately 14.4% to GDP in Q4 2024.

The 25% target, once contextualised within the pre-rebasing GDP framework and accounting for sector expansion, is achievable within a decade if current investment and subscriber growth trends are sustained.

Key milestones required to achieve the 25% target include:

• Full national fibre-optic backbone completion (Project Bridge: 90,000 km target)
• Right-of-way harmonisation across all 36 states to reduce fibre deployment costs
• 5G commercial rollout in all major urban centres by 2027
• Digital literacy programmes to convert the remaining ~50% non-internet-using population
• Regulatory frameworks for emerging technologies: AI, IoT, cloud computing, and satellite internet

Currency and Macroeconomic Headwinds

Despite the impressive growth figures, Nigeria’s telecom sector continues to face macroeconomic headwinds.

The persistent depreciation of the naira, which increased the cost of imported network equipment and dollar-denominated debt servicing, contributed to significant losses for key operators in 2024, including MTN Nigeria’s reported N400 billion loss.

The tariff increase approved by the NCC in early 2025 partially addressed this imbalance, but operators warn that further naira depreciation could erode profitability gains and slow future investment cycles.

Additionally, energy costs remain a significant burden, with many operators running diesel generators due to the unreliable national grid. The transition to renewable energy-powered base stations is ongoing but capital-intensive.

NCC Regulatory Framework & Data Methodology

The statistics underpinning this report are drawn from the NCC Industry Statistics portal, published pursuant to Section 89(3)(d) of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003 (NCA 2003), which mandates the Commission to monitor, report on, and provide statistical analyses of the Nigerian telecommunications industry.

The GDP contribution figures are sourced from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) quarterly GDP reports.

Under the NBS methodology, the ICT sector comprises four sub-activities: (1) Telecommunications and Information Services; (2) Publishing; (3) Motion Picture, Sound Recording and Music Production; and (4) Broadcasting. Telecommunications and Information Services consistently accounts for the dominant share, approximately 7.29% of GDP in Q4 2024 and 8.12% in Q4 2025 under the rebased framework.

Industry Perspective

“Telecommunication is the biggest beneficiary of the accelerating use of digital technology in financial services, media, entertainment, and renewable energy. The numbers we are seeing in Q4 2025 reflect years of investment now bearing fruit.”— Olu Akanmu, former CEO of OPay and former CMO of Airtel Nigeria

Regulatory Perspective

“The sector has done well with its contribution to GDP, but it can do better. We are working on the right policies to push the contribution of the telecom sector to 25%.”— Dr. Aminu Maida, executive vice chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

In essence…

The Q4 2025 data confirms that Nigeria’s telecommunications sector is on a strong and accelerating growth trajectory.

The sector’s contribution to real GDP rose from 7.29% in Q4 2024 to 8.12% in Q4 2025, representing a year-on-year increase of 0.83 percentage points or approximately 11.4% proportional growth. The sector’s real growth rate surged to 26.34% in Q4 2025, its highest quarterly rate in recent years.

Behind these numbers lies a story of deliberate policy, significant capital investment, and growing consumer demand for digital connectivity.

As Nigeria pushes toward the ambitious 25% GDP contribution target, the telecom sector will need sustained regulatory support, continued infrastructure investment, and targeted policies that address the structural barriers of energy costs, currency risk, and right-of-way access.

What the Q4 2025 figures make unmistakably clear is this: in an economy navigating inflation, currency pressures, and structural reform, telecommunications has emerged as one of the most reliable and strategically significant pillars of Nigeria’s national development agenda.

Techeconomy analysis of outage reports from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) network monitoring portal shows that Abuja (FCT), Lagos, Rivers, Kano, Kaduna, Enugu, Borno, Anambra, Ogun and Akwa Ibom emerged among the states with the highest fibre-related network disruptions during the first quarter of the year.

The incidents, averaging about 65 fibre cuts daily nationwide, disrupted mobile services, broadband connectivity, enterprise operations, fintech transactions, cloud services and digital communications relied upon by millions of Nigerians.

Industry stakeholders say the trend highlights the growing vulnerability of Nigeria’s telecom backbone infrastructure at a time the country is aggressively pursuing broadband expansion, digital payments, e-government services, artificial intelligence adoption and wider digital transformation.

Lagos, Abuja Lead Fibre Cut Incidents

Lagos and the Federal Capital Territory remained among the worst-hit locations largely due to intensive road construction, urban infrastructure projects, cable vandalism and repeated excavation activities damaging underground fibre infrastructure.

Several telecom operators including MTN Nigeria, Airtel Nigeria, FibreOne, Tizeti, Layer3 and Broadband Communications Network (BCN) reported multiple outages linked to fibre cuts in the two cities during the quarter.

For operators, the challenge is particularly severe because Lagos and Abuja account for a substantial share of Nigeria’s enterprise connectivity, banking infrastructure, cloud services, data traffic and digital business activities.

Industry analysts warn that recurring disruptions in both locations have broader implications for Nigeria’s financial system, digital commerce ecosystem and investor confidence.

Northern States Also Hit

Kano, Kaduna and Borno recorded significant fibre-related disruptions during the period, affecting both consumer connectivity and enterprise services.

Operators attributed many of the incidents to construction activities, infrastructure vandalism, environmental factors and operational challenges in maintaining long-distance fibre routes.

The repeated outages in northern corridors also expose the fragile nature of intercity fibre transmission infrastructure critical for nationwide network resilience.

South-East, South-South Networks Under Pressure

Enugu, Anambra, Rivers and Akwa Ibom also witnessed multiple fibre cuts affecting voice and internet services.

The outages disrupted connectivity for businesses, schools, government institutions and digital service providers operating within the regions.

Industry sources say the growing dependence on digital services means fibre cuts now carry wider economic consequences beyond ordinary telecom disruptions.

The Real Cost of Fibre Cuts

For consumers, the impact often appears as dropped calls, poor internet speeds, failed banking transactions and unstable connectivity.

But for the broader economy, the consequences are far more significant.

Every major fibre cut affects banking systems, ATMs, Point-of-Sale terminals, fintech applications, logistics platforms, hospitals, educational systems, cloud infrastructure and enterprise communications.

As Nigeria’s economy becomes increasingly digitised, network downtime now directly translates into productivity losses, operational delays and revenue disruptions.

Telecom operators are also spending billions of naira annually repairing damaged fibre cables and restoring affected sites, costs that analysts say could otherwise support rural broadband rollout, 5G deployment and network expansion projects.

Why NCC’s CNI Push Matters

The growing scale of fibre cuts is strengthening industry support for the NCC’s Critical National Information Infrastructure protection drive.

President Bola Tinubu had earlier signed an Executive Order designating telecommunications infrastructure as Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII), effectively classifying telecom assets as nationally strategic infrastructure deserving stronger legal protection.

The designation was expected to reduce vandalism, improve coordination around infrastructure projects and strengthen enforcement against negligent destruction of telecom facilities.

However, operators argue that implementation remains weak, especially during road construction projects where fibre cables are frequently damaged by contractors and excavation activities.

Industry executives say many state governments and contractors still fail to properly coordinate with telecom operators before embarking on major infrastructure works.

Threat to Nigeria’s Digital Economy

The fibre cuts crisis comes at a delicate period for Nigeria’s digital economy ambitions.

The Federal Government continues to promote broadband penetration, digital identity systems, fintech growth, cloud computing, AI innovation and e-government services, all heavily dependent on reliable telecom infrastructure.

Analysts warn that unless stronger infrastructure protection measures are enforced, Nigeria risks undermining its digital transformation goals.

The disruptions also raise concerns for sectors increasingly dependent on stable connectivity, including financial services, healthcare, education, e-commerce, logistics and media.

For telecom operators already battling forex volatility, inflation, diesel costs and rising capital expenditure requirements, repeated fibre cuts are becoming both an operational and financial burden.

Industry Pushes for Stronger Enforcement

Telecom stakeholders are now advocating stricter enforcement of CNII protection laws, improved coordination between construction agencies and network operators, adoption of “dig-once” policies and stiffer penalties for vandalism and negligent fibre damage.

Experts say protecting fibre infrastructure must now become a national economic priority, not just a telecom industry concern.

As Nigeria positions itself as Africa’s largest digital economy, the reliability of its telecom infrastructure may ultimately determine how successfully the country can compete in an increasingly connected global economy.

Driven by a directive from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) following a clean billing audit, the goal is to show users exactly how background app activities, automatic updates, and video streaming drain their balances as data consumption across the country skyrockets.

Operators have already started sending customers daily reports showing how much data they used the previous day.

An official at one of the telecom companies in Nigeria said the data depletion issue has become a major concern across the industry.

“An average subscriber believes their service provider steals their data once their data is exhausted before time or depletes faster than they expected, which is not true.

“Over the years, we have tried to enlighten the subscribers on factors that could lead to their data being depleted fast, which include smartphone functionality, among others.

“And now, we are looking at tools that could show the subscribers not just what they have used, but also how they have used it to further promote transparency,” the source said.

He added that operators are also stepping up public awareness campaigns to help subscribers understand why data may finish faster than expected.

The renewed drive for transparency comes as data usage across Nigeria gets more expensive.

Nigerians consumed more than four billion gigabytes of data in the first quarter of 2026, driven by heavy use of video streaming platforms, social media, fintech services and remote work tools.

That growth has also increased pressure on telecom infrastructure, with networks in many parts of the country now struggling during peak hours, leaving subscribers with slower internet speeds and unstable connections.

Many users often interpret those issues as abnormal data depletion.

Telecom operators are also dealing with worsening infrastructure problems. Industry data showed there were 19,384 fibre cuts in 2025, while another 5,934 incidents were recorded in the first quarter of 2026 alone.

At the same time, only about 25% of planned 4G expansion projects for 2026 have been completed, leaving networks overstretched as internet demand grows.

In December 2024, the NCC said it carried out a billing audit across major mobile networks after repeated complaints from subscribers. According to the regulator, the audit did not uncover any major issue linked to unfair data deductions.

The Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Dr Aminu Maida, said the exercise was completed in the third quarter of 2024 using independent auditors.

“We had a hypothesis that it isn’t true that there is a data depletion issue in the industry. It could be perception.

“So the first thing we did was that we immediately conducted a billing audit on the systems of the major MNOs, using reputable auditors. That exercise was completed in Q3 of this year (2024) and surprisingly, we didn’t find any major issues,” he said.

The NCC has repeatedly warned that several smartphone features and apps consume data without users actively using them. According to the commission, background app activity, cloud syncing, automatic updates and location services are some of the biggest causes of unexpected data usage.

The regulator advised subscribers to monitor their usage regularly, turn off background data access for selected apps and disable automatic updates where necessary.

It also recommended using Wi-Fi whenever possible and installing ad blockers to reduce unwanted data consumption from online advertisements.

Meanwhile, Nigeria is reviewing its 26-year-old telecom policy as the government looks to address growing pressure on the sector.

Proposed reforms include stronger consumer protection rules, new tariff structures, wider 5G deployment and tougher measures to protect telecom infrastructure from vandalism and fibre cuts.

Authorities say the reforms are aimed at improving digital access, strengthening cybersecurity and encouraging long-term investment in the country’s telecom industry, ultimately reducing data depletion across Nigeria.

The meeting, held in Wednesday, brought together senior executives from both organisations to discuss the future of Nigeria’s telecommunications industry, infrastructure development, service quality, and emerging opportunities within the country’s rapidly evolving digital economy.

The Executive Management and Staff of ntel include Afolabi Oladunjoye, Ikechi Jim Nnah, George Ifeonyemetalu, Chinedu Anochirionye, Ariyike Akinbobola LL.B, Nasirudeen Babalola, who were received by the hairman of the NCC, in a meeting centered on innovation, industry growth, and the future of connectivity in Nigeria.

Also present were the Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, Engr. Abraham Oshadami; the Board Secretary, GT Mohammed; alongside members of the Commission’s management and staff.

Discussions during the engagement focused on strengthening industry collaboration, expanding broadband access, improving connectivity infrastructure, and driving innovation capable of supporting Nigeria’s digital transformation ambitions.

Speaking during the meeting, Olorunnimbe emphasised the importance of sustained investment, service quality, and innovation in delivering value to Nigerian consumers.

He encouraged ntel to continue positioning itself as a strong Nigerian player within the highly competitive telecommunications sector.

“The opportunity ahead is significant for operators committed to quality, innovation, and long-term value creation,” he said, reiterating the Commission’s commitment to supporting operators while strengthening the broader telecommunications ecosystem.

The NCC chairman also acknowledged ntel’s ongoing investments and new initiatives aimed at expanding broadband connectivity and enhancing digital access across the country.

For ntel, the visit provided an opportunity to deepen engagement with the regulator while reaffirming its commitment to delivering transformative digital infrastructure and innovative connectivity solutions for businesses, institutions, Internet Service Providers (ISPs), and communities across Nigeria.

The company said discussions also highlighted the growing demand for reliable broadband services and the importance of introducing innovative products capable of expanding digital inclusion and supporting economic growth.

The engagement comes shortly after ntel announced the deployment of NOVA (Tarana), its next-generation Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) initiative designed to improve access to high-speed wireless connectivity nationwide.

According to the company, the project is expected to strengthen ntel’s role as a digital infrastructure provider by enabling partner ISPs, enterprises, and organisations to deliver broadband services using its network infrastructure.

Both parties expressed optimism about continued collaboration toward building a more connected and digitally empowered Nigeria.

They said that nine out of every 10 Nigerian children have experienced at least one form of online risk, while more than half have been directly exposed to cyberbullying, grooming, exploitation, and other forms of online abuse, according to data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

The advocates warned that continued delay is leaving millions of Nigerian children dangerously exposed to online predators, cyberbullying, sexual exploitation, and other digital harms.

The call came during a webinar convened by Gatefield and Cece Yara Child Advocacy Centre, ahead of this year’s Children’s Day celebration.

Stakeholders accused regulators and global digital platforms of failing to adequately protect children operating in the country’s rapidly expanding online space.

The Child Online Protection Bill, which scaled through the House of Representatives in December 2025, is currently awaiting Senate action.

Speakers at the event cited data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) showing that nine out of every 10 Nigerian children had experienced at least one form of online risk, while more than half of young internet users had suffered direct exposure to online abuse, including cyberbullying, grooming, and exploitation.

The experts warned that the scale of exposure reflected a major regulatory failure and a widening gap in platform accountability, especially as millions of Nigerian children gained internet access without corresponding safety protections.

They also raised concerns over growing cases of “digital trauma,” saying repeated exposure to harmful online environments can have devastating long-term effects on children’s mental health, emotional development, and learning outcomes.

According to insights shared during the webinar, harmful materials often remain online long enough to spread widely before any intervention occurs, while as much as 31 per cent of reported child exploitation content is never removed from digital platforms.

They argued that the situation underscored the urgent need for stronger legal safeguards and tougher obligations for technology companies operating in Nigeria.

They specifically called on Senate to accelerate consideration of HB244, insisting that the proposed legislation would, for the first time, impose enforceable responsibilities on digital platforms through mandatory time-bound content removals and child safety-by-design standards.

The stakeholders further demanded compulsory 24-hour takedown rules for child sexual abuse and grooming materials, stronger age verification mechanisms, establishment of locally based moderation teams, as well as coordinated national digital literacy campaigns focused on child safety.

Advocacy Lead at Gatefield, Shirley Ewang, stressed that Nigeria could no longer afford to delay action while children continued to face unchecked abuse online.

Ewang said, “With millions more children entering digital spaces every year, every second counts. Delays in addressing online harm can have lasting consequences for children, and Nigeria cannot afford to ignore that.

“We cannot celebrate Children’s Day while ignoring the reality that children are being actively exposed and insufficiently protected online, as global platforms continue to operate with little to no consequence in our market.”

Similarly, Esther Udoh, chief operating officer of Cece Yara Child Advocacy Centre, described the Child Online Protection Bill as critical to establishing clear legal obligations for digital platforms and improving response times against harmful content.

Udoh said the rapid evolution of the digital landscape required urgent and decisive government intervention to protect vulnerable children from irreversible harm.

According to her, every child deserves a safe digital environment where they can learn, interact, and grow without fear of exploitation or abuse.

Whether you’re streaming music on your commute, catching up on TikTok or YouTube, or simply keeping apps updated in the background, mobile data has a way of disappearing faster than expected.

On May 22, 2026, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) took to X (formerly Twitter) with a timely advisory that cuts through the frustration.

The regulator highlighted three culprits, streaming, auto-downloads, and background app activity, and offered practical, device-agnostic steps to regain control.

Why Your Data Vanishes:

The Hidden Culprits

Modern smartphones are designed to stay connected 24/7. Apps refresh in the background, videos auto-play as you scroll, and cloud services quietly sync photos, documents, and updates.

Streaming platforms like Netflix, YouTube, or TikTok are particularly voracious, especially on higher quality settings.

According to broader NCC consumer education resources, social media and video apps often top the list of data consumers.

Without deliberate management, even moderate users can burn through gigabytes without realizing it.

The NCC’s graphic accompanying the tweet drives the message home visually: Your Apps quietly use data. You can control it.

It features clear illustrations for Android/iOS-style settings, making the advice accessible to the average Nigerian subscriber juggling MTN, Airtel, Glo, or 9mobile bundles.

NCC’s 3 Simple Ways to Manage Data Usage:

Here’s a breakdown of the regulator’s recommendations, expanded with actionable details:

1. Turn off background data for apps

Many apps continue downloading and uploading data even when you’re not actively using them, think email sync, news feeds, or social media notifications.

On Android: Go to Settings > Apps > [Select App] > Mobile data & Wi-Fi > Disable Background data.

On iOS: Settings > General > Background App Refresh > Off (or Wi-Fi only).

This single tweak can dramatically reduce silent consumption.

2. Disable auto-play and auto-downloads

Auto-playing videos on X, Instagram, Facebook, or YouTube can consume hundreds of MB per hour. Auto-downloads for media or app updates add up quickly.

In individual apps: Look for Data usage, Autoplay, or Media quality settings and switch to “Wi-Fi only” or off. System-wide: Disable automatic app updates over mobile data in your app store settings.

3. Enable Data Saver or Low Data Mode

Both Android and iOS have built-in modes that restrict background activity and compress data where possible. Android: Settings > Network & internet > Data Saver.

iOS: Settings > Cellular > Low Data Mode.

These features often prompt you before heavy downloads and limit high-resolution streaming.

Beyond the Basics: Additional NCC-Inspired TipsThe Commission’s consumer portal expands on these fundamentals with more comprehensive strategies:

• Monitor your usage: Check built-in data trackers weekly to identify top offenders.
• Set alerts and limits: Most phones allow you to set a data warning or hard cap.
• Leverage Wi-Fi wisely: Download large files, update apps, and stream at home or office.
• Restrict location services and other sensors for non-essential apps.
• Use offline modes in Spotify, YouTube, or Maps when possible.

These tips are especially relevant amid ongoing conversations about perceived rapid data depletion, even as operators face pressure to deliver better value.

Consumer Empowerment in a Competitive Market

NCC’s role extends beyond regulation to active consumer education. By issuing such advisories, the Commission empowers subscribers to maximize value from their hard-earned airtime and data bundles while holding operators accountable for quality of service.

In a market serving over 200 million mobile users, small individual actions compound into significant savings, both financially and in terms of frustration.

Parents managing family plans, students on tight budgets, and professionals reliant on mobile internet all stand to benefit. Take Action Today

Next time you feel your data vanishing, remember the NCC’s message: the power is in your hands (and your phone settings).

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​NCC said the publication underscores its commitment to fostering regulatory transparency, ensuring a level playing field, and encouraging innovation within Nigeria’s evolving telecommunications ecosystem.

​Call for Written Submissions

According to a public statement signed by Nnenna Ukoha, head, Public Affairs Department, NCC, the Commission is actively seeking comments, feedback, and written submissions on the Draft Business Rules from interested stakeholders, industry players, and members of the public.

​Submission Deadline: On or before Monday, June 29, 2026.

​Submission Channels:

• ​By Email: Send submissions directly to stakeholders@ncc.gov.ng.

​By Physical Mail: Written submissions should be addressed to:

​The Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission

Plot 423, Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja

(Attention: Head, Legal and Regulatory Services)

​Upcoming Public Inquiry

​To further facilitate interactive dialogue and review stakeholder feedback, the Commission will host a physical Public Inquiry. All interested parties are invited to attend.

​Date: Thursday, July 9, 2026

​Time: 11:00 AM

​Venue: The Auditorium, NCC Head Office Annex, Mbora District, Abuja.

​The Draft Business Rules are currently available for review on the NCC’s official website. Stakeholders are highly encouraged to study the document ahead of the submission deadline and the scheduled public inquiry.

But Techeconomy analysts say the initiative represents something deeper: the beginning of a stricter regulatory phase in Nigeria’s telecom infrastructure governance, one that could reshape how fibre optic cables and telecom facilities are deployed nationwide.

The cleanup exercise, which began around Toyin Street, Ikeja, exposed widespread cases of improperly installed aerial fibre cables hanging dangerously on poles, gates, gutters, and close to public walkways.

Regulators described some of the exposed cables as live infrastructure capable of endangering public safety, affecting city aesthetics, and contributing to poor quality of service experienced by subscribers.

Why the Cleanup Matters

For years, Lagos residents have complained about indiscriminate deployment of telecom cables across streets, estates, business districts, and utility corridors.

As broadband expansion accelerated, driven by rising internet demand, fintech growth, streaming services, cloud computing, remote work, and enterprise connectivity, operators raced to deploy fibre infrastructure rapidly, sometimes with limited coordination, poor documentation, and weak compliance oversight.

The result has been what many urban planners describe as infrastructure disorder, loose cables tied across poles, exposed fibre lines crossing roads, poorly managed ducts, and installations that compromise both safety and urban planning objectives.

The latest action suggests regulators are no longer willing to tolerate those practices.

According to officials of the Nigerian Communications Commission, neglecting telecom infrastructure deployment standards exposes Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNI) to damage and contributes to service instability and network outages.

That position is significant because telecom infrastructure is increasingly being treated as strategic national infrastructure tied directly to economic productivity, digital finance, public services, and national security.

From Broadband Expansion to Infrastructure Standardisation

Over the past decade, Nigeria’s telecom policy focus largely revolved around broadband penetration and network expansion.

The government pushed aggressively for fibre rollout, tower expansion, digital inclusion, and deeper connectivity across underserved communities.

However, the Lagos cleanup initiative indicates that regulators may now be entering a second phase: infrastructure standardisation, compliance enforcement, and urban integration.

This transition reflects growing concern among policymakers that uncontrolled fibre deployment could create long-term risks for smart city planning, transportation projects, environmental sustainability, public safety, and infrastructure resilience.

Industry stakeholders also acknowledge that poor coordination has become a major operational challenge.

Tony Izuagbe Emoekpere, the president of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria, has also warned that fibre cuts caused by road construction, excavation activities, and infrastructure vandalism continue to disrupt network quality nationwide.

According to industry estimates, operators record thousands of fibre cuts annually, leading to service outages, degraded internet quality, enterprise disruptions, and billions of naira in financial losses.

The implication is increasingly clear: poorly coordinated telecom deployment is no longer just a technical issue; it is an economic and governance challenge.

Likely Policy Moves by NCC and LASIMRA

1. Stricter Approval Frameworks for Fibre Deployment

Industry observers expect regulators to tighten approval processes for both aerial and underground fibre installations, particularly in densely populated urban areas.

Operators may increasingly be required to submit detailed deployment maps, engineering plans, environmental compliance reports, and infrastructure safety documentation before approvals are granted.

This could significantly reduce the era of informal or hurried cable deployment.

2. Mandatory Telecom Infrastructure Audits

The cleanup exercise could evolve into periodic infrastructure compliance audits across Lagos and eventually other states.

Our prediction is that regulators may begin creating comprehensive databases of fibre routes, utility corridors, underground ducts, tower infrastructure, and abandoned telecom assets.

Such audits would help improve planning coordination and reduce accidental infrastructure damage during road projects and urban development works.

3. Tougher Enforcement and Sanctions

Although the current operation has been presented as corrective and collaborative, analysts expect stricter enforcement measures to follow.

Future violations could attract sanctions, infrastructure removal orders, financial penalties, redeployment obligations, or restrictions on future deployment approvals.

This would represent a major shift from the historically weak enforcement environment that has characterized parts of the telecom infrastructure ecosystem.

4. Push toward Shared Duct Infrastructure

One of the likely long-term outcomes is increased regulatory pressure for operators to adopt shared duct systems instead of indiscriminate aerial cabling.

Shared duct infrastructure is increasingly viewed as critical for reducing visual pollution, lowering deployment duplication, improving maintenance coordination, and supporting smart city development.

Lagos State has previously explored unified duct infrastructure initiatives, and the current cleanup exercise may accelerate those discussions.

5. Stronger Coordination with Road Construction Agencies

A recurring problem within Nigeria’s telecom sector is the frequent destruction of fibre infrastructure during road construction and excavation projects.

From our analysis, regulators may therefore push for mandatory coordination frameworks involving telecom operators, ministries of works, urban planning agencies, utility providers, and local authorities.  Such frameworks could include compulsory infrastructure mapping and pre-excavation notification systems before road projects commence.

6. Nationwide Replication beyond Lagos

Although Lagos currently serves as the pilot location, there are indications that similar exercises could spread to other states.

Cities such as Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano, and Ibadan may eventually witness similar enforcement operations as regulators attempt to standardise telecom infrastructure governance nationally.

The Industry’s Dilemma

For telecom operators, however, the issue is more complicated than regulation alone.

Operators continue to battle high right-of-way charges, multiple taxation, diesel price increases, forex instability, infrastructure theft, vandalism, and rising operational costs. In many instances, aerial fibre deployment became the fastest and cheapest option for rapid broadband expansion in environments where underground duct infrastructure remains limited or expensive.

This creates a delicate balancing act for policymakers.On one hand, regulators want cleaner, safer, and more coordinated deployments. On the other hand, operators face pressure to expand broadband access quickly, reduce connectivity gaps, and support Nigeria’s digital economy ambitions.

The challenge for regulators will be designing compliance frameworks that improve standards without slowing broadband penetration or discouraging infrastructure investment.

Why this Matters for Nigeria’s Digital Economy

Nigeria’s digital economy is increasingly dependent on reliable telecom infrastructure.

Fintech transactions, cloud services, e-commerce, streaming platforms, AI systems, digital education, smart governance initiatives, and enterprise operations all rely heavily on stable connectivity.

As data consumption rises rapidly, fibre infrastructure is becoming as strategically important as roads, power systems, and transportation networks.

That reality is forcing regulators to rethink how telecom infrastructure is deployed, protected, and governed.

The Lagos cleanup initiative therefore represents more than environmental enforcement.

It signals a broader policy evolution, one where telecom infrastructure is no longer treated as informal utility deployment, but as critical national infrastructure requiring planning, regulation, standardisation, protection, and long-term sustainability.

A Defining Moment for Telecom Governance

For the Nigerian Communications Commission and Lagos State Infrastructure Maintenance and Regulatory Agency, the message appears increasingly clear: Broadband expansion can no longer happen without orderliness, safety, infrastructure discipline, and urban coordination.

The next phase of Nigeria’s digital transformation may therefore depend not only on how much fibre is deployed, but also on how responsibly, safely, and sustainably that infrastructure is managed. We recommend that all stakeholder should join hands to ensure the proerly deployment of the infrastrcture as against dumping the blames on the door steps of the regulators alone.