Nigeria’s appetite for internet data increased to an all-time high in the first quarter of 2026, with total consumption crossing the four billion gigabyte threshold, underscoring the country’s accelerating transition into a digitally driven economy.
Recent figures released by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) show that Nigerians consumed a cumulative 4.06 million terabytes of data between January and March 2026, the highest quarterly volume recorded so far.
A closer look at the monthly breakdown reveals an upward trajectory in usage. March emerged as the peak period, with total data consumption rising to 1,422,764.54 terabytes, up from 1,260,060.27 terabytes recorded in February. January had earlier set a high baseline at 1,385,536.04 terabytes, indicating consistently strong demand throughout the quarter.
The growth in data usage was mirrored by a steady increase in the country’s internet subscriber base. Active internet users rose to 153.15 million in March, compared to 152.48 million in February, marking the highest level within the three-month period. This growth continues to be driven largely by mobile network subscriptions, which remain the primary gateway to internet access for most Nigerians.
Across the industry, all four major telecom operators recorded subscriber gains within the review period, reflecting sustained demand for connectivity services despite prevailing economic pressures.
Market leader MTN Nigeria retained its dominant position, expanding its subscriber base from 95.31 million in February to 95.76 million in March. Airtel Nigeria also posted notable growth, increasing its users from 63.03 million to 63.63 million over the same period.
Similarly, Globacom recorded a marginal uptick in its subscriber numbers, rising from 22.61 million to 22.64 million. Meanwhile, 9mobile, now operating under the T2 brand, saw its subscriber base climb from 3.44 million in February to 3.48 million in March.
Overall, Nigeria’s total telecom subscriber base stood at 185.7 million as of March 2026, reinforcing the scale of the country’s connectivity ecosystem.
Industry observers attribute the continued growth in data consumption to the increasing integration of digital services into everyday life. More Nigerians are relying on the internet for activities ranging from social media engagement and video streaming to mobile banking and e-commerce transactions.
Analysts further note that the steady rise in both data usage and subscriptions reflects ongoing investments by telecom operators in network expansion and service quality improvements. At the same time, the growing dependence on digital platforms for communication, business operations, and entertainment is deepening the role of connectivity as a critical enabler of economic activity in Africa’s largest market.
