Pic.: 6 G internet
Smartphones
Nigeria’s monthly internet usage skyrocketed by 93.35% to a record 1,000,930.6 terabytes (TB) in January 2025, driven by a surge in smartphone penetration, according to data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
The dramatic increase from 517,670.15 TB in January 2023 coincided with a rise in 3G, 4G, and 5G connections to 98.67 million, out of a total of 169.04 million connections. This growth reflects the increasing reliance on smartphones as primary internet access devices for millions of Nigerians.
“Smartphones have become the computer for many Nigerians today,” said Adia Sowho, former chief marketing officer of MTN Nigeria.
Telecom operators like Airtel Nigeria and MTN Nigeria have reported significant increases in smartphone penetration and data usage per customer. This trend is fueled by the availability of affordable entry-level smartphones, primarily from Chinese manufacturers.
“Chinese phones stand out in the Nigerian market due to their affordability, features, and targeted marketing strategies,” said Manish Pravinkumar, Senior Consultant at Canalys.
Transsion brands (Tecno and Infinix) have particularly dominated the Nigerian market, propelling the company to become the fourth-largest phone vendor globally.
Despite this growth, a significant digital divide persists. The GSMA reports that 120 million Nigerians still lack access to mobile internet, largely due to affordability issues. The rising cost of living, driven by high inflation, has further strained purchasing power, making smartphones less accessible for many.
However, industry experts remain optimistic about the future of smartphone penetration in Nigeria, citing the country’s young population and growing consumption of digital services as key drivers.
