Nigeria’s internet usage hits new record despite 50% tariff hike

Internet usage in Nigeria surged to a new all-time high of 1,043,431.98 terabytes (TB) in May 2025, surpassing the previous record of 1,000,930.60 TB set in January.

This rebound comes after months of slowed data consumption following a 50 percent increase in telecom tariffs approved by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in January. According to data from the NCC, usage dropped to 893,054.80 TB in February, then gradually recovered, reaching 995,876.10 TB in March, dipping slightly to 983,283.43 TB in April, and now peaking in May.

The tariff hike, which took effect on 20 January 2025, raised the floor price for calls from N6.40 to N9.60 per minute, SMS from N4 to N6, and 1GB of data from N287.50 to N431.25.

Read also: Nigerians’ internet usage slides further after 50% tariff hike

At the time, Bismarck Rewane, chief executive officer of Financial Derivatives Company, warned that the hike could strain consumer budgets and lead to lower usage. But recent data indicates otherwise.

Despite the slight dip in the first quarter of 2025, MTN Nigeria, with 90.25 million subscribers, posted a quarterly record of N529.44 billion in data revenue. According to Karl Toriola, MTN Nigeria’s CEO, the telecom industry is well-positioned to benefit from sustained growth in data demand.

“The demand for data in Nigeria is exceptional and will continue to grow,” he said.

The rise in internet usage has been fuelled largely by increased smartphone adoption. By May 2025, 3G, 4G, and 5G connections accounted for 61.24 percent of the country’s total 172.67 million mobile connections, indicating deepening smartphone penetration.

Read also: Data centres to pump $630m on growing internet usage

According to the GSMA, smartphone penetration stood at 59 percent in urban areas and 26 percent in rural areas as of 2023. This expanding base is driving growth in digital services, social media usage, and streaming.

GSMA notes that most Nigerians (85 percent) use mobile internet to make or receive video calls, 75 percent to watch free-to-access online videos, and 54 percent to listen to free music online.

Beyond data consumption, the overall number of mobile subscriptions rose to 172.67 million in May, with 141.05 million mobile internet subscribers and broadband penetration hitting 48.81 percent.