In a major revelation highlighting Nigeria’s telecommunications landscape, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has reported that the country ended 2024 with a staggering 164.9 million active telecommunications subscribers. This was disclosed in the commission’s December 2024 subscription statistics, as announced by Nigerian Stories via its official X (formerly Twitter) handle.
The latest figures reflect the resilience and expansion of Nigeria’s telecom sector despite economic turbulence, infrastructural challenges, and government regulations. The report indicates that mobile penetration remains a dominant force, with millions of Nigerians relying on telecommunication services for communication, business, and digital transactions.
However, while the industry recorded steady growth, it also faced hurdles such as rising data costs, erratic network quality, cybersecurity threats, and regulatory pressures. Experts say that frequent disruptions in broadband infrastructure, power shortages, and increased taxation on telecom operators have placed additional strain on the sector, potentially slowing future expansion.
The NCC’s statistics also come amid Nigeria’s continued push for 5G adoption and digital transformation initiatives. The rollout of 5G networks by major telecom providers, including MTN and Airtel, has been touted as a game-changer, promising faster internet speeds, improved connectivity, and greater innovation in key sectors such as fintech, healthcare, and e-commerce.
Industry analysts predict that 2025 will be a defining year for Nigeria’s telecom industry, with anticipated advancements in broadband expansion, digital banking, artificial intelligence (AI) adoption, and blockchain technology.
With Nigeria’s population surpassing 220 million, the country still holds immense growth potential in telecommunications. However, issues like affordability, last-mile connectivity, and rural network expansion remain critical hurdles to achieving universal access.
As the telecom sector gears up for another year, all eyes will be on the NCC, telecom operators, and government policies to see whether Nigeria can surpass this milestone and further cement its status as Africa’s digital powerhouse.
Stay tuned for more updates on Nigeria’s telecom evolution.
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