A comprehensive industry analysis has uncovered a troubling disconnect in Nigeria’s telecommunications landscape: while millions of Nigerians now own 5G-capable smartphones, the network infrastructure needed to support these devices remains severely underdeveloped across the country’s major urban centers.
Massive Gap Between 5G Devices and Network Coverage
The Nigeria Network Performance & 5G Opportunity Analysis report, conducted by Ookla in partnership with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), reveals that approximately 70.9% of 5G-capable devices in Lagos and 65.6% in Abuja cannot connect to any 5G network. This striking finding highlights a critical infrastructure shortfall that threatens to undermine Nigeria’s digital transformation ambitions.
The study, which conducted a nationwide assessment of network performance, demonstrates that Nigerian consumers are embracing next-generation mobile technology faster than telecommunications providers can deploy the necessary infrastructure. This mismatch creates a frustrating experience for users who invested in premium devices expecting cutting-edge connectivity.
Urban-Rural Digital Divide Deepens
The analysis reveals a stark contrast between urban and rural connectivity, with Lagos and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) scoring 40–50% above the national average in network performance, while most rural areas continue to rely on outdated 2G and 3G networks. This technological disparity reinforces existing inequalities in digital access and economic opportunity.
The concentration of advanced network infrastructure in major cities creates what experts describe as “two Nigerias” — one benefiting from modern connectivity and another struggling with basic internet access. According to the report, “This imbalance continues to limit digital inclusion and economic opportunity outside the major cities.”
MTN Leads Network Performance Rankings
Among telecommunications operators, MTN Nigeria emerged as the performance leader, consistently delivering the highest download and upload speeds while maintaining strong latency and jitter results. The company’s infrastructure investments appear to be paying dividends in user experience quality.
Airtel demonstrated competitive download performance but continues to face challenges with latency. Meanwhile, Glo and 9mobile showed weaker overall results. 9mobile registered the lowest quality of service metrics, attributed to slow 4G rollout and persistent network stability issues.
Regulatory Response and Future Outlook
The NCC has responded by reaffirming its commitment to “driving modernization and equitable access,” with plans to accelerate 4G and 5G expansion, particularly in underserved regions. The regulatory body recognizes that addressing these infrastructure gaps is essential for national development.
The regulator emphasized that improving latency, reducing jitter, and extending next-generation coverage are crucial priorities for bridging the country’s growing digital divide. These technical improvements could significantly enhance user experience across all network types.
Market Opportunity for First-Movers
Industry analysts view the current situation as presenting both challenges and significant opportunities. With thousands of 5G-ready devices already in consumers’ hands but unable to access appropriate networks, telecommunications companies that can rapidly expand coverage stand to capture substantial market share.
The race to deploy 5G infrastructure could reshape Nigeria’s telecommunications competitive landscape. Operators who successfully bridge the coverage gap may establish lasting advantages in what promises to be the next major phase of the country’s digital evolution.
As Nigeria continues its push toward becoming a digital economy hub in West Africa, closing the gap between device capability and network availability will be essential for maintaining momentum and ensuring that technological progress benefits all Nigerians, regardless of location.
