Rising data demand is putting pressure on networks. The Nigerian Communications Commission has warned that this growth is outpacing network expansion. Mobile broadband covers a significant portion of the population, with 90 percent of Nigerians having access. However, smartphone ownership is relatively low, at 27 percent.

Data consumption has increased substantially, with 1.6 million terabytes used in a single month. This represents a significant rise over the past year. Looking ahead, subscriptions are expected to grow substantially over the next decade or so.

Further details on the situation and the commission's plans are available from the Nigerian Communications Commission, which recently issued a communiqué on the matter after a forum on digital connectivity investment.