Nigeria’s telecommunications sector maintained strong growth momentum in the fourth quarter of 2025, with active voice subscriptions climbing to 179,642,333, driven by rising demand for connectivity nationwide.
Figures released by the Nigerian Communications Commission and the National Bureau of Statistics show the total represents an 8.92 percent increase from the 164,926,599 recorded in the same period of 2024. On a quarter-on-quarter basis, subscriptions also grew by 3.52 percent.
Internet usage followed a similar upward trend, with active subscriptions reaching 148,166,926 in Q4 2025, compared to 139,282,108 a year earlier—marking a 6.38 percent year-on-year increase. Quarter-on-quarter, internet subscriptions rose by 5.12 percent, highlighting Nigeria’s accelerating digital adoption.
A state-by-state breakdown shows Lagos State maintaining its position as the country’s telecom hub, recording the highest number of active voice lines at 21,575,253. Kano State followed with 11,261,625, while Ogun State recorded 10,254,558.
At the lower end, Bayelsa State had the fewest voice subscribers at 1,187,597. Ebonyi State and Ekiti State also recorded relatively low figures, with 1,678,094 and 1,687,029 subscribers respectively.
The same trend was reflected in internet subscriptions, where Lagos led with 18,597,444 users, followed by Kano at 9,166,953 and Ogun at 8,881,234. Bayelsa again ranked lowest with 1,010,052 users, while Ebonyi and Ekiti recorded 1,350,111 and 1,439,813 respectively.
At the operator level, MTN Nigeria retained its market dominance, accounting for the largest share of both voice and internet subscriptions. The company recorded 93,064,952 active voice subscribers and 79,865,690 internet users during the period under review.
The latest data underscores continued expansion in Nigeria’s telecom sector, fueled by growing mobile penetration and increasing reliance on digital services.
