Nigeria’s Internet Users Drop in June, But Data Consumption Holds Steady

While Nigeria’s internet user base saw a slight decline in June, the appetite for data remained as strong as ever. According to the latest industry figures from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the number of active internet subscriptions dipped to 141.1 million, compared to 141.5 million recorded in May. Though the 0.3% drop might seem small, it reflects a continued shift in how Nigerians are connecting and consuming online content.

The data cuts across mobile, fixed, and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) networks, and shows that the country’s dominant mobile operators—MTN, Airtel, Globacom, and 9mobile (now referred to as T2)—still control the lion’s share of the market. Combined, these four players accounted for 140.6 million subscriptions, leaving a relatively tiny share of just over 528,000 users for internet service providers (ISPs) and other smaller operators.

This slight decline in internet subscriptions did not, however, translate into less usage. If anything, the reverse is true. Nigerians continue to consume massive amounts of data, and the growth trend seems unrelenting.

According to the NCC, a total of 1.044 million terabytes of data were consumed across networks in June—just edging out the 1.043 million terabytes used in May. While the difference may appear marginal, it’s significant in the context of broader data consumption trends. In fact, the May figures had previously marked the highest monthly data usage since January 2023, when the NCC began publishing detailed usage reports.

For telecom operators, this growing data hunger is both a challenge and an opportunity. At a recent media event, Dinesh Balsingh, the CEO of a major telecom company, noted that data usage in Nigeria—especially in urban areas like Lagos—is expanding at an “exponential” rate. More people are getting online, using more devices, and demanding faster, more reliable internet for everything from streaming and social media to business operations and online learning.

“Cities like Lagos are growing at lightning speed—more people, more businesses, more devices,” Balsingh said. “It’s not just about being connected anymore. It’s about having a seamless experience. And that means telecom operators have to keep scaling up bandwidth and infrastructure to keep up.”

This surge in demand explains why telecom companies are investing heavily in expanding capacity, even in the face of fluctuating subscriber numbers.

Active Mobile Subscriptions Also See a Dip

Beyond internet-specific subscriptions, the overall number of active mobile lines also dropped slightly in June. The NCC’s data shows that active mobile subscriptions across the four major networks declined to 171.5 million, down from 172.4 million in May. That’s nearly a million fewer active lines within one month.

Interestingly, MTN—the largest telecom operator in Nigeria—was primarily responsible for the decline. The company’s subscriber base shrank by about one million, falling from 90.2 million in May to 89.2 million in June. Despite this, MTN still retained its dominant position, accounting for more than half of Nigeria’s mobile market with a 52.03% share.

On the other end of the scale, 9mobile, now branded as T2, also recorded a decline in its user base. The company lost over 236,000 subscriptions, bringing its total down to 2.4 million from 2.6 million. While T2 has taken strategic steps to stay afloat, including a recently signed deal to use MTN’s infrastructure, the company continues to face stiff competition in a market that’s rapidly consolidating around the top three providers.

Not all operators lost ground, though. Airtel posted a modest gain of 36,316 new subscribers, taking its total to 58.9 million. Globacom outperformed its rivals in terms of monthly growth, adding 263,028 new users and boosting its total to 20.8 million from 20.6 million the month before.

In terms of market share, Airtel maintained its second-place position with 34.38%, followed by Globacom with 12.18%. T2, however, continued to trail far behind, holding just 1.42% of the market.

What This Means for Teledensity

With fewer active lines overall, Nigeria’s teledensity—an important indicator that reflects the number of active telephone lines per 100 residents—also saw a decline. It fell to 79.22% in June, down from 79.65% in May. This slight drop could be attributed to inactive SIM cards being deactivated, shifting market dynamics, or even the ongoing impact of economic factors affecting consumer spending on telecom services.

Despite these declines, the continued rise in data consumption signals a shift in how Nigerians interact with digital services. More people are prioritizing internet-based activities over traditional voice calls and text messages. In a country where digital banking, e-commerce, streaming, and remote work are becoming the norm, it’s clear that data is the new oil.

However, a concerning insight from a recent GSMA report shows that while mobile internet coverage has expanded, many Nigerians with 4G access still don’t use mobile internet. According to the study, 60% of Nigerians who are covered by 4G networks are not yet active mobile internet users. This suggests there are still significant barriers to digital inclusion, whether it’s affordability, device access, or digital literacy.

Nigeria’s telecom sector is evolving rapidly. While a small dip in active subscriptions may not be a cause for immediate concern, it highlights the need for operators to remain agile and responsive to changing user behavior. The steady growth in data consumption also reinforces the importance of continued investment in infrastructure and service quality.

As more Nigerians turn to digital platforms for daily activities, telecom providers and regulators alike must ensure that access is not only widespread but also affordable and reliable. The future of the country’s digital economy depends on it.