NCC affirms that the aim of achieving 70% broadband coverage by the end of 2025 is achievable
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) aims to achieve a 70% broadband penetration rate by the end of 2025, a goal that, while symbolic, faces significant challenges.
Currently, as of June 2025, Nigeria's broadband penetration stands at 48.78%. To reach the 70% benchmark, an additional 21.22% broadband penetration is required within six months. However, the telecom industry in Nigeria has lost over one million internet subscribers in the first half of 2025, a loss that directly challenges the country's ambition.
Operators have announced billion-dollar commitments in infrastructure for the year, with the NCC facilitating investments in fiber optic cables, 5G deployment, and rural connectivity. The National Broadband Plan (NBP) 2020-2025, which is set to expire in four months, has been instrumental in these efforts.
The Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria (IXPN) now delivers peak traffic of one terabit per second, a significant stride in network capacity. Yet, Nigeria still has over 130 million people living more than 50 kilometers away from a fiber landing point, highlighting the need for rural connectivity.
Aminu Maida, the NCC's Executive Vice Chairman, has stated that strategic pricing frameworks and incentives will be used to reach the target. The Nigeria Cybersecurity Outlook Report by Deloitte (2024) warned of rising threats from ransomware and insider attacks, underscoring the need for robust cybersecurity measures alongside infrastructure development.
Historical figures show that the sector's best annual gains came in 2020, with an increase of 6.53%. Given these gains and the current commitments, it is hoped that the target can be met. However, the continued loss of users puts the 70% goal further out of reach, and the structural headwinds the sector has faced are not to be underestimated.
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