NCC: Nigerians Consumed 1.6 Million Terabytes of Data in July 2026, Up 47%
By Aboki Forex —
Nigerians consumed about 1.6 million terabytes of data in July 2026, according to the Nigerian Communications Commission. The figure is an increase of almost 47% from the 1.13 million terabytes consumed in July 2025.
The NCC's Executive Vice Chairman said the sharp rise shows Nigeria must attract more investment to expand telecommunications networks and improve service quality for millions of users. He spoke at the Nigeria Digital Connectivity Investment Forum in Abuja, organised by the NCC with Swedfund International AB and Ookla.
Demand keeps climbing
The surge reflects the growing role of the internet in everyday life and business in Nigeria. Mobile banking, online shopping, remote work, digital education, entertainment and social media are all pulling more Nigerians online.
The NCC noted that demand is increasingly shifting towards faster and more reliable connectivity, putting additional pressure on existing telecommunications infrastructure.
It also said the country still faces significant connectivity challenges, including uneven network performance, infrastructure deployment difficulties and underserved communities. Sustained investment is needed both to connect more Nigerians and to improve the experience of those already using digital services.
What the NCC is doing
According to the commission, attracting private investment will be critical to closing connectivity gaps, particularly in areas where network deployment is commercially difficult. The NCC said it is using network, infrastructure, coverage and market data to identify areas with connectivity shortages and determine where new investment could generate the greatest economic and social impact.
The EVC pointed to measures introduced to improve the investment environment. These include the 2025 telecommunications tariff adjustment, which was intended to ease financial pressures on operators and support further investment.
He added that the Federal Government's 2024 designation of telecommunications infrastructure as Critical National Information Infrastructure has strengthened efforts to protect key telecom assets. Engagement with state governments on rights of way is also being used to address some of the costs and obstacles tied to deploying telecom infrastructure.
Trillion dollar economy target
Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Jumoke Oduwole said digital access would be critical to Nigeria's ambition of building a $1 trillion economy. She stressed that collaboration between the NCC, investors and other stakeholders would be necessary to expand digital infrastructure and ensure more Nigerians and businesses can take part in the digital economy.
The NCC said the forum was aimed at turning connectivity data into investment opportunities and partnerships that can accelerate infrastructure development across the country.
What it means for Nigerians
Increased investment could translate into wider broadband coverage, more reliable mobile networks and better access to digital services, particularly in underserved communities. For businesses, steadier connectivity supports payments, e-commerce and remote operations that increasingly depend on data.