Nigerians Spent N3.33 Trillion on Internet Data in Q1 2026 as Telecom Sector GDP Share Hits 9.19%
By Aboki Forex —
Nigerians spent an estimated N3.33 trillion on internet data between January and March 2026, according to fresh figures from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). Subscribers consumed about 4.06 million terabytes of data during the first quarter. That works out to an average of 28 gigabytes per subscriber.
The surge in data usage is pushing the telecommunications sector deeper into the economy. The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reported that telecoms contributed N4.71 trillion to Nigeria’s real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Q1 2026. That represents 9.19 per cent of total output, the industry’s second-highest quarterly contribution in two years.
Growth has been steady. The sector’s share climbed from 7.7 per cent in Q3 2025 to 8.1 per cent in Q4 2025. Telecoms remained the dominant force within the Information and Communication sector, which together added N5.8 trillion to the economy in the period.
The strong telecom performance, alongside gains in agriculture, helped Nigeria’s economy expand by 3.89 per cent year-on-year in Q1 2026. That is up from 3.13 per cent growth in the same quarter of 2025. The services sector remained the largest contributor to economic activity, accounting for nearly 58 per cent of GDP.
Major telecom operators are cashing in on rising data usage. MTN Nigeria reported data revenue of N826.1 billion in the quarter, helping the company post a profit before tax of N546.4 billion. Airtel Nigeria also saw strong growth, with earnings rising 40.2 per cent to $475 million. Data services alone generated $244 million for Airtel.
Industry analysts say telecoms have become a critical backbone for banking, fintech, e-commerce, healthcare, and education. They warn that sustained investment in network infrastructure by operators like MTN, Airtel, and Globacom is essential to keep up with demand and expand digital access.
With internet usage still climbing, experts expect the telecom industry to play a central role in the federal government’s goal of building a $1 trillion digital economy.