MTN Nigeria is tightening its grip as the leading driver of the federal government’s broadband ambition, announcing a significant leap in its active data user base to 51.1 million, a 12.8 per cent surge that underscores the operator’s accelerating network investments and expanding digital footprint across the country.
The growth reflects MTN’s aggressive rollout of 4G and 5G infrastructure alongside rapid expansion of its Fibre-to-the-Home (FTTH) network, a combination the company says is positioning Nigeria for faster, more inclusive broadband penetration.
In a video released by the firm, MTN reaffirmed its industry leadership, stating that it remains the first telco to achieve over 82 per cent coverage in 4G, and the first to roll out 5G in Nigeria, already reaching an estimated 15 million of the population and counting.
The telco’s expanding coverage is driven by an extraordinary financial commitment. MTN’s capital expenditure, excluding leases, soared by 248 per cent to N757.4 billion, representing one of the largest annual investments in Nigeria’s telecom industry. Much of this spending is being channelled into strengthening capacity, easing network congestion, and delivering ultra-fast broadband to homes via FTTH. These efforts are already visible: home broadband subscriptions climbed to 4 million, with 281,000 new users added in the third quarter alone.
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Data demand among Nigerians continues to rise sharply, propelling a 36.3 per cent year-on-year jump in overall traffic. MTN reported that average data usage per subscriber increased by 20.8 per cent to 13.2GB, highlighting the growing appetite for high-speed connectivity as more citizens consume video, gaming, digital learning, remote work, and entertainment services.
The company’s ability to sustain such heavy investment is strengthened by its financial turnaround, with MTN recording a post-tax profit of N750.2 billion. Beyond telecoms infrastructure, MTN is also deepening its role in national development through initiatives such as the rehabilitation of the 110-kilometre Enugu–Onitsha Expressway under the federal government’s Road Infrastructure Tax Credit (RITC) scheme.
According to Tobe Okigbo, MTN’s chief corporate services and sustainability officer, the company’s long-term ambition is tied to digital inclusion for every Nigerian. “We are committed to ensuring that we provide through these platforms access at the fingertips of every Nigerian. Oh yes, we truly believe that everyone deserves the benefits of a modern connected life,” he said.
