Between December 2023 and the same time in 2024, Nigerians consumed a staggering 973,445 terabytes of data, reflecting a significant 36% surge in data usage. Despite the rise in data consumption, the number of internet users in the country declined sharply from 163.8 million in December 2023 to 139.2 million by the end of 2024, with nearly 25 million users dropping off. This drop is partly attributed to the enforcement of the SIM-NIN linkage regulations and data corrections by telecom operators.
Although fewer Nigerians are online, the ones who remain are consuming more data, likely due to increased engagement in data-heavy activities such as streaming, gaming, and remote work. This shift is further reflected in the growing adoption of faster technologies like 4G, which now accounts for 42.7% of internet users, surpassing 2G for the first time. 5G adoption, though still in its early stages, has also begun to gain traction at 2.3%.
However, experts are concerned that the decline in internet users could hinder Nigeria’s ambition to achieve 70% broadband penetration by 2025, as the current penetration stands at just 44.43%. Smaller telecom operators, such as 9mobile, have also faced market share declines, with its share falling from 15.7% in 2015 to just 1.99% now.
Despite these challenges, the surge in data usage presents opportunities for businesses, telecom providers, and policymakers to adapt. Industry experts are urging the government to better understand the factors behind the user decline and to develop strategies to improve digital experiences, particularly for those still connected, to successfully navigate Nigeria’s evolving digital landscape.
