The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has released its latest statistics, revealing a steady increase in broadband penetration across the country.
The data shows that Nigeria’s broadband penetration rose to 43.53% in March 2024, a significant recovery from previous declines.
According to the NCC, the total number of active internet subscriptions grew from 158.2 million in April 2023 to 164.4 million in March 2024.
This increase in internet users has been accompanied by a rise in broadband penetration, which saw a consistent upward trend over six consecutive months.
The report highlighted that broadband penetration had dropped from 48.28% in May 2022 to as low as 40.85% in September 2022.
However, it began to climb again in October 2023, reaching 41.01%, and continued to improve each month thereafter, peaking at 43.53% in March 2024.
Monthly Breakdown of Active Internet Subscriptions:
- April 2023: 158.2 million
- May 2023: 159.6 million
- June 2023: 159.5 million
- July 2023: 159.5 million
- August 2023: 159.1 million
- September 2023: 160.1 million
- October 2023: 161.1 million
- November 2023: 162 million
- December 2023: 163.8 million
- January 2024: 161.9 million
- February 2024: 163.3 million
- March 2024: 164.4 million
The report attributes the accumulation of active internet subscriptions to various technologies, including Mobile GSM, Mobile Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Fixed Wired, Wired and Wireless, and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).
Monthly Breakdown of Broadband Penetration:
- November 2023: 41.87%
- December 2023: 43.71%
- January 2024: 42.53%
- February 2024: 43.08%
- March 2024: 43.53%
Gbenga Adebayo, Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria, commended the NCC for its regulatory efforts, which he said played a crucial role in the gradual rise in broadband penetration.
Adebayo noted that the federal government’s previous ban on SIM activation had significantly impacted broadband penetration across networks.
However, he praised the NCC for its effective regulation and called for the government to grant the NCC full regulatory independence to address key issues affecting telecom operations in Nigeria.
“The NCC’s management has done an excellent job in stabilizing and improving broadband penetration in the country,” Adebayo stated. “We hope the government will continue to support the commission’s efforts by ensuring it has the necessary autonomy to implement policies that will further enhance telecom operations in Nigeria.”
The NCC’s recent statistics provide a positive outlook for the country’s digital landscape, reflecting ongoing efforts to expand internet access and improve connectivity for millions of Nigerians.
As the country continues to recover from the post-COVID economic challenges, these gains in internet and broadband usage are seen as vital for driving economic growth and technological advancement.
