The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has disclosed that Nigerians now consume about 45,800 terabytes of internet data daily, highlighting the country’s accelerating dependence on digital platforms and online services.
The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NCC, Aminu Maida, revealed this during the 2026 Workshop for Judges on Legal Issues in Telecommunications held in Lagos on Thursday. Maida, who was represented by the NCC’s Executive Commissioner for Stakeholder Management, Ms Rimini Makama, said total data consumption for March 2026 rose to 1.42 million terabytes, compared to 995,000 terabytes recorded in the corresponding period of 2025.
What the NCC boss is saying
According to Maida, the sharp rise in internet usage reflects the rapid expansion of Nigeria’s digital economy, driven by growth in digital payments, e-commerce platforms, startups, digital literacy programmes, and the adoption of emerging technologies.
Breaking down the figures, he explained that the current daily data consumption level is equivalent to Nigerians streaming more than 15 million hours of high-definition video every day.
▪ “Put another way, this is roughly equivalent to Nigerians watching over 15 million hours of high-definition video every single day,” he said.
▪ He noted that daily data usage in March 2025 stood at about 32,100 terabytes, translating to roughly 10.7 million hours of HD video consumption daily.
▪ “This means Nigerians are now using the equivalent of about 4.6 million more hours of HD video every day than they did a year ago,” he added.
Maida stated that the continued expansion of internet usage demonstrates the growing role of digital services in driving innovation, economic inclusion, and access to opportunities across the country.
▪ “The rapid growth of digital payments, e-commerce platforms, startups, digital literacy, and the adoption of emerging technologies underscores the immense potential of our digital economy to drive innovation and expand opportunities,” he stated.
More insights
Despite the sector’s rapid growth, the NCC warned that telecommunications infrastructure remains exposed to vandalism, fibre cuts, theft, and sabotage.
Maida referenced President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent designation of telecommunications infrastructure as Critical National Information Infrastructure, noting that telecom assets now require stronger protection because of their strategic importance to the economy and national security.
▪ The NCC said it is collaborating with security agencies, telecom operators, and other stakeholders to strengthen infrastructure protection through nationwide asset mapping, public sensitisation, mediation, and stricter enforcement measures.
▪ According to Maida, collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser has already led to the disruption of syndicates involved in telecom equipment theft and resale.
▪ On cybersecurity, he disclosed that the Commission launched the Telecommunications Identity Risk Management System (TIRMS) to combat SIM-related fraud, identity theft, and abuses linked to number recycling.
▪ He also revealed that the NCC signed a memorandum of understanding with the Central Bank of Nigeria to strengthen efforts against electronic fraud connected to mobile phone numbers.
The Commission said the collaboration would also extend to agencies such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the National Identity Management Commission.
Also speaking at the event, Chairman of the NCC Governing Board, Idris Olorunnimbe, noted that digital technologies had fundamentally transformed governance, commerce, security systems, and social interactions globally.
He stated that emerging concerns around cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, online harms, consumer rights, and infrastructure protection now require stronger institutional collaboration and deeper judicial understanding of Nigeria’s evolving telecommunications and digital regulatory environment.
Olorunnimbe expressed confidence that the workshop would improve judicial capacity to effectively handle telecom-related disputes while supporting innovation, protecting consumers, and safeguarding Nigeria’s digital infrastructure.
What you should know
The latest disclosure comes shortly after the NCC announced that telecommunications operators invested more than N2.5 trillion in network infrastructure during 2025 as part of efforts to improve service quality nationwide.
▪ According to the Commission, Mobile Network Operators invested over N2.13 trillion in network upgrades and infrastructure expansion during the year.
▪ Tower companies also committed an additional N373.8 billion toward network modernisation and expansion projects.
▪ The investments were largely driven by rising internet consumption and increasing pressure on existing telecommunications infrastructure across the country.
