Nigeria’s Internet Economy Deepens As Data Usage Climbs 44% In 12 Months

By Ayo Susan

Nigeria’s digital economy is showing sustained expansion, with active internet subscribers reaching 157.7 million in July 2026 while monthly data consumption climbed to 1.66 million terabytes. The latest Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) figures show that both indicators have generally risen over the past 12 months.

DEVELOPMENT:

NCC statistics showed that active internet subscribers increased from 140,328,196 in August 2025 to 157,706,496 in July 2026. Data consumption rose from 1,152,347.24TB to 1,662,021.45TB over the same period.

Subscriber numbers rose through most of the period, reaching 157,405,351 in May 2026 before dipping to 156,858,549 in June and recovering to 157,706,496 in July.

Data usage followed a stronger trajectory. After reaching 1,532,172.67TB in June, consumption rose by about 8.5 percent in July to 1,662,021.45TB, the highest monthly level in the reported 12-month period.

Chairman, Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Gbenga Adebayo, attributed the growth in subscribers to stable regulatory policies and initiatives, which he said have created a stable telecommunications environment that is beginning to attract foreign investment.

Adebayo also highlighted the Federal Government’s Zero-rated Access to Educational Platforms and Content Programme, implemented with the NCC, Federal Ministry of Education and participating operators.

According to him, the initiative is “a significant step towards expanding educational opportunities, promoting digital inclusion and accelerating Nigeria’s transition to a knowledge-driven digital economy.”

He said providing access to approved educational platforms without data charges, supported by an initial daily allocation of 100MB for educational use, would further increase internet subscriptions and data consumption.

DATA:

Active internet subscriptions increased by about 12.4 percent between August 2025 and July 2026. Internet data consumption increased by approximately 44.2 percent over the same period.

The sharper rise in data consumption compared with subscriber growth indicates that existing users are also consuming significantly more digital content and services. The NCC’s July data confirms 157.27 million mobile internet subscriptions alone, alongside the wider subscriber figures.

SIGNIFICANCE:

The numbers point beyond connectivity. Rising data consumption creates opportunities across digital payments, e-commerce, streaming, cloud services, online education, advertising, fintech and other data-intensive businesses.

For telecom operators and investors, the key commercial issue is increasingly how to monetise higher usage while maintaining network capacity, affordability and service quality.

NEXT MOVE:

The next indicators are subscriber growth, monthly data consumption, broadband adoption, network investment and the uptake of zero-rated educational platforms. The relationship between higher usage and operators’ revenues will also be important.

OUR LENS:

Nigeria’s digital story is shifting from simply connecting more people to increasing the intensity of digital participation. The 44 percent rise in data consumption against 12.4 percent subscriber growth suggests that the next phase of the digital economy will depend increasingly on what connected Nigerians do online, not merely how many Nigerians are connected.

Ayo Susan is a journalist, covering business, society and emerging developments with an emphasis on credible and engaging storytelling.