Why 5G Still Accounts for Only 4.49% of Nigeria’s Mobile Connections
Despite billions of naira in telecom investment, 5G accounted for just 4.49% of Nigeria’s mobile connections in May 2026, according to Nigerian Communications Commission data. By comparison, 4G made up 54.30% of connections, while 2G and 3G remained widely used. Operators have spent heavily on spectrum, fibre, base stations and network equipment. MTN’s 2025 capital expenditure rose to about ₦1 trillion, while Airtel added more than 1,050 sites, including 657 5G sites. Yet many Nigerians with 5G-enabled phones still cannot access a 5G network, including thousands of users in Lagos and Abuja. High right-of-way charges, fibre cuts, unreliable power supply, security concerns and the cost of diesel continue to make expansion expensive. Telecom operators spend more than $350 million yearly on diesel to keep network infrastructure running. For many users, 4G is still sufficient for banking, streaming, social media and remote work. Wider 5G adoption may depend on lower deployment costs, stronger fibre and electricity infrastructure, and policies that make network expansion commercially viable.
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