Nigeria’s internet market sustained its growth momentum in May 2026, with total internet subscriptions rising for the tenth consecutive month amid expanding mobile connectivity and continued investment in telecommunications infrastructure.
Latest data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) showed that internet subscriptions increased by two per cent month-on-month and 11 per cent year-on-year to 157.4 million in May, underscoring the steady expansion of digital connectivity across the country.
Mobile network operators (MNOs), which dominate Nigeria’s internet services market, remained the primary engine of growth. Active internet subscriptions on MNO networks rose to 157 million in May, compared with 154.3 million recorded in April.
The performance indicates that mobile connectivity continues to provide the backbone for Nigeria’s digital economy, particularly as consumers, businesses and public institutions increasingly rely on internet-enabled services for communication, commerce, financial transactions and access to digital platforms.
Alternative internet service providers also recorded modest gains during the review period. Fixed wireless subscriptions increased by one per cent month-on-month to 157,900, while Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) subscriptions rose by two per cent to 225,500.
Broadband connectivity equally maintained its upward trajectory, although at a slower pace. Broadband subscriptions increased by one per cent month-on-month to 122 million in May, representing a 15 per cent rise compared with the corresponding period of 2025.
The increase in subscriptions translated into further improvement in broadband penetration, which climbed to 56.1 per cent in May from 55.7 per cent in April and 48.8 per cent a year earlier.
The sustained improvement reflects growing consumer adoption of broadband services and continuing efforts to widen access to high-speed internet connectivity nationwide.
Industry observers, however, noted that the gradual pace of improvement remains a concern, particularly given the scale of Nigeria’s digital ambitions and the need to extend reliable broadband services to underserved and rural communities.
Despite the steady upward trend, structural challenges continue to constrain faster broadband adoption. These include infrastructure deficits, high deployment costs, inadequate power supply, affordability pressures and gaps in coverage across less commercially attractive locations.
The outlook nevertheless remains positive as telecom operators continue to expand their 4G and 5G networks, upgrade existing infrastructure and increase capacity to accommodate rising data consumption.
Further expansion into previously underserved communities is also expected to support broadband growth, while policy initiatives and investments in digital infrastructure could strengthen the sector’s capacity to bridge Nigeria’s connectivity gap.
With internet subscriptions now recording ten consecutive months of growth, the latest figures point to a gradually deepening digital economy. However, industry stakeholders face the challenge of converting rising connectivity into broader and more affordable access to quality high-speed broadband, particularly outside major urban centres