Nigeria’s internet consumption has soared to record levels, with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) revealing that the country now uses an estimated 45,800 terabytes of data daily as digital adoption continues to accelerate across sectors of the economy.
The figures were disclosed by Aminu Maida, the executive vice chairman and chief executive officer of the NCC, at the 2026 Workshop for Judges on Legal Issues in Telecommunications held in Lagos.
According to the Commission, total data usage in March 2026 reached about 1.42 million terabytes, a substantial rise from 995,000 terabytes recorded in the same period of 2025. The NCC also noted that daily consumption stood at approximately 32,100 terabytes in March last year, highlighting how quickly usage has expanded within a 12-month period.
Maida said the growth reflects a broader transformation of Nigeria’s digital economy, driven by the expansion of digital payments, e-commerce, technology startups, and digital literacy initiatives that are steadily deepening financial inclusion and widening access to online services.
To illustrate the scale of consumption, he explained that Nigerians now collectively stream the equivalent of more than 15 million hours of high-definition video every day. By comparison, he said daily usage last year translated to about 10.7 million hours of HD video, meaning consumption has increased by roughly 4.6 million hours per day within a year.
He described the trend as evidence of the rapid digitisation of economic activity, noting that emerging technologies and online platforms are becoming more central to commerce, communication and learning across the country.
However, the NCC cautioned that the expansion in usage is placing significant pressure on telecommunications infrastructure. Maida warned that the sector continues to face risks from vandalism, fibre cuts, equipment theft and deliberate sabotage, all of which threaten service reliability.
He referenced the Federal Government’s recent designation of telecommunications facilities as Critical National Information Infrastructure, a move he said underscores their importance to national security and economic stability.
According to him, the Commission is strengthening collaboration with security agencies and telecom operators through measures such as nationwide asset mapping, public awareness campaigns, dispute mediation and stricter enforcement mechanisms. He also noted that joint efforts with the Office of the National Security Adviser have already led to the disruption of networks involved in the theft and resale of telecom equipment.
On cybersecurity, Maida said the NCC has introduced the Telecommunications Identity Risk Management System (TIRMS) to address SIM-related fraud, identity theft and misuse of mobile numbers. He added that the Commission has also signed a memorandum of understanding with the Central Bank of Nigeria to curb electronic fraud linked to mobile lines, with further cooperation expected from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the National Identity Management Commission.
On his part, Idris Olorunnimbe, the chairman of the NCC Governing Board, said digital technologies are reshaping governance, business operations, security systems and social interactions across the world, including Nigeria.
He stressed that issues such as cybersecurity threats, online harm, infrastructure protection, artificial intelligence and consumer rights now require stronger collaboration among institutions, as well as a deeper understanding of the regulatory landscape by the judiciary.
Olorunnimbe expressed confidence that the workshop would enhance judicial capacity to handle telecom-related disputes, while also supporting innovation, protecting consumers and safeguarding critical digital infrastructure.
The latest data disclosure comes against the backdrop of rising investments in the telecoms sector. The NCC had earlier reported that operators invested over N2.5 trillion in network infrastructure in 2025 in response to growing demand and persistent service quality challenges.
Of this amount, Mobile Network Operators accounted for about N2.13 trillion, while Tower Companies committed an additional N373.8 billion toward expansion and modernisation.
While these investments continue to flow into the sector, consumers have, however, continued to report persistent challenges with network quality, raising questions about service delivery despite the heavy capital outlay. The Federal Government recently issued a fresh warning to telecommunications operators, insisting they must improve the quality of services delivered to subscribers or face regulatory sanctions.
The government noted that recent policy reforms and interventions have helped restore stability to the telecommunications sector, easing long-standing structural and financial constraints previously cited by operators as reasons for poor network performance.
According to the NCC, the sustained rise in data consumption is also a major driver of infrastructure strain, reinforcing the need for continuous upgrades and expanded network capacity across the country’s telecommunications ecosystem.
