Emma Okonji
Eleven months after the December 2025 deadline for reaching 70 per cent broadband penetration as outlined within the Nigerian National Broadband Plan (2020-2025), the nation remains to be far from reaching the set goal.
The five-year broadband coverage, which was formulated in 2020, search to realize 70 per cent broadband protection for 90 per cent of the Nigerian inhabitants, with minimal obtain speeds of 25 megabyte per second (Mbps) in city areas and 10 Mbps in rural areas.
But as at August this yr, Nigeria’s broadband penetration stood at 58.22 per cent, with roughly 126.2 million energetic broadband subscriptions, which remains to be a far cry from reaching the 70 per cent broadband goal.
Despite the nation’s incapability to satisfy the set broadband goal in December 2025, the Nigerian telecoms sector nevertheless recoded regular development in broadband penetration and subscription in 12 consecutive months, in line with the newest statistics launched by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
From September 2025 to August 2026, the sector recorded steady improve in broadband penetration degree and energetic variety of broadband subscriptions.
The statistics confirmed that in September 2025, broadband penetration was 49.34 per cent, with 106.9 million energetic broadband subscriptions.
In October 2025, broadband penetration elevated to 49.89 per cent with a corresponding improve in broadband subscription, which reached 108.2 million.
In November 2025 and December 2025, broadband penetration elevated once more to 50.58 per cent and 51.97 per cent respectively, whereas energetic broadband subscription additionally elevated to 109.7 million and 112.7 million respectively inside the similar interval.
In January 2026, broadband penetration additional improved to achieve 53.07 per cent. There was additionally an enchancment in energetic broadband subscription, which elevated to 115 million.
In February 2026, the telecoms sector witnessed one other improve in broadband penetration, which reached 53.86 per cent, with a corresponding improve in energetic broadband subscription, which elevated to 116.7 million.
In March 2026, there was one other improve in broadband penetration to 54.30 per cent, whereas energetic broadband subscription additionally elevated to 117.7 million.
In April 2026, broadband penetration and subscription elevated once more to 55.67 per cent and 120.7 million respectively.
In May 2026, there was one other improve in broadband penetration to 56.11 per cent, with a corresponding improve in energetic broadband subscription of 121.6 million.
In June 2026, broadband penetration elevated once more to achieve 56.79 per cent, with an additional improve in broadband subscription of 123.1 million.
In July 2026, the telecoms sector additionally witnessed one other improve in broadband penetration, which reached 57.40 per cent, with a corresponding improve in broadband subscription of 124.4 million, earlier than reaching 58.22 per cent broadband penetration and 126.2 million energetic broadband subscriptions in August 2026.
Commenting on the regular improve in broadband penetration and subscriptions throughout networks, the Chairman, Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Mr. Gbenga Adebayo, who doubles because the spokesperson for all licensed telecoms operators in Nigeria, stated though Nigeria was but to satisfy the 70 per cent broadband penetration goal, the regular development in broadband penetration and subscriptions had been clear indicators that the telecoms sector is making progress in broadband penetration and subscriptions.
He nevertheless assured Nigerians that the 70 per cent goal would quickly be achieved and surpassed, given the expansion trajectory of broadband penetration within the final one yr.
