Nigeria Internet Penetration Hits 53% Record as Operators Expand Coverage

Nigeria's internet penetration reached 53% in January 2026, driven by mobile operators expanding broadband infrastructure nationwide. Airtel Nigeria added 1.5 million subscribers in December-January, reaching 53.5% penetration with 10.5% YoY growth. MTN Nigeria grew to 81.1 million subscribers (10% YoY), while Globacom added 557k to 15.4 million. Airtel increased network sites by 15.5% to 16,711 and expanded fibre backbone by 25%. MTN and Airtel dominate growth, widening the gap with smaller operators like Globacom and T2 Mobile. Despite gains, Nigeria missed its 70% broadband target, requiring sustained investment in fibre, 4G, and 5G to accelerate digital inclusion.

SOURCE: https://techcabal.com/2026/03/10/nigerias-internet-hits-record-53-in-january/