Nigeria's Data Demand Up 47%, NCC Urges New Infrastructure Investment

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has issued a call for significant financial injection into the nation's telecommunications infrastructure, following a remarkable surge in data usage across the country. Data consumption in Nigeria has escalated by nearly 47 percent within a single year.

Dr. Aminu Maida, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NCC, emphasized this need on Tuesday during the inauguration of the Nigeria Digital Connectivity Investment Forum in Abuja. This crucial event, co-hosted by Swedfund and Ookla, brought together key stakeholders including government officials, potential investors, development finance institutions, and industry operators. Their collective aim was to identify and explore avenues for financing Nigeria's burgeoning digital infrastructure.

Dr. Maida revealed striking figures, indicating that Nigerians consumed approximately 1.66 million terabytes of data in July 2026, a substantial increase from the 1.13 million terabytes recorded during the same period in 2025. He stated, "We can clearly observe the demand through our statistics. Nigerians utilized about 1.66 million terabytes of data this July, up from 1.13 million a year prior. This represents an increase of almost 47 percent in just twelve months." He further stressed, "To keep pace, continuous investment will be essential, both for expanding existing networks and for enhancing the service quality for those already connected."

The NCC boss also highlighted that the strain on telecommunications networks is projected to intensify as the adoption of cloud services and artificial intelligence becomes more widespread. This trend, he noted, underscores the growing importance of reliable connectivity for both businesses and individual consumers.

According to Dr. Maida, the NCC has been actively working to foster a more conducive environment for investment. This includes the 2025 tariff adjustment, a measure designed to alleviate financial pressures on operators and bolster their capacity to invest, with the ultimate goal of improving service delivery. He added that the official classification of telecommunications infrastructure as Critical National Information Infrastructure, alongside ongoing discussions with state governments regarding Right of Way, is instrumental in safeguarding telecom assets and reducing the expenses associated with network deployment.

The regulatory body, Dr. Maida explained, is also leveraging network performance data and feedback from consumer complaints to pinpoint service deficiencies and areas where further investment is critically needed. "We are embedding evidence-based decision-making at the core of our regulatory approach," Maida affirmed. "For investors, this should translate into a clearer understanding of potential opportunities and greater confidence in the rationale behind our decisions."

The forum also saw contributions from other prominent figures. IHS Nigeria underscored the crucial link between infrastructure development and the expansion of the digital economy. Discussions also touched upon Nigeria's ambition to play a larger role in global AI services and the potential for transforming Nigerian talent into an export commodity.

In her keynote address, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, emphasized that digital connectivity has evolved into a vital economic infrastructure, indispensable for trade and investment activities. She noted that the telecommunications sector contributed over nine percent to Nigeria's Gross Domestic Product in the first quarter of 2026. Furthermore, mobile technologies and services collectively added approximately $240 billion to Africa's economy in 2025.

Dr. Oduwole further pointed out that Nigeria currently boasts more than 25 data centres, either operational or under construction, signaling significant and expanding investment prospects within the digital economy. "For investors, the message is simple and clear: Nigeria views digital connectivity not merely as a social infrastructure requirement, but as a viable economic investment opportunity," she declared. She identified key investment areas such as data centres, cloud services, fibre optics, broadband, fintech, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and digital logistics, while underscoring the necessity for stable policy frameworks and coordinated regulatory efforts.

Anna Westerholm, the Swedish Ambassador to Nigeria, also addressed the forum, acknowledging the progress made in expanding connectivity but highlighting persistent gaps in coverage, quality, affordability, and supporting infrastructure. "Data should not be the ultimate goal. Its true value materializes when we use it to make superior decisions and translate those decisions into tangible actions," Westerholm remarked. She asserted that reliable data has the power to diminish uncertainty, bolster investor confidence, and assist in identifying areas where additional investment would yield the most significant impact.

Representing Dr. Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Adetunji Adeyemo, Director of the National Frequency Management Council Secretariat, conveyed that the government alone cannot fulfill Nigeria's extensive digital infrastructure demands. He advocated for stronger public-private partnerships, innovative financing models, and increased development finance to broaden connectivity across the nation. Adeyemo concluded, "Sound investment decisions are predicated on good data. Dependable and transparent data can help investors identify and evaluate asset demand, comprehend market opportunities, and develop projects that are both commercially viable and contribute to national development."