NCC calls for sustained telecom investment as data consumption jumps 47%

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has called for sustained investment in telecom infrastructure, as data consumption in Nigeria rose by almost 47 per cent year-on-year,

The Executive Vice Chairman of the commission, Dr. Aminu Maida, disclosed this  at the opening ceremony of the first  Nigeria Digital Connectivity Investment Forum held recently, in Abuja.

According to him Nigerians consumed about 1.66 million terabytes of data in July 2026, up from 1.13 million terabytes in July 2025, reflecting fast-growing demand for digital connectivity.

The NCC boss attributed the surge to increased reliance on telecom services for business, education, financial transactions and essential services.

He added that cloud computing and artificial intelligence would push demand higher.

“Sustained investment is critical, not only to expand network capacity but also to improve the quality of experience for existing subscribers.

On the said of the commission , he said said “We have introduced measures to create a more sustainable investment climate, including the 2025 tariff adjustment, which addressed operators’ financial pressures and their ability to invest.”

He noted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s designation of telecom infrastructure as Critical National Information Infrastructure, and the Commission’s engagement with state governments on Right of Way, as steps to protect infrastructure and reduce deployment costs.

He further said that the Commission was strengthening evidence-based regulation, supported by its collaboration with Swedfund and Ookla and its Consumer Data Lab, funded by the Gates Foundation and developed with Innovations for Poverty Action, to identify service gaps and areas needing investment.

On the gains of the the forum, he said “the two-day forum would focus on investment opportunities and the financing models and partnerships needed for digital connectivity projects, noting that some projects were commercially ready while others required preparation, shared infrastructure or development finance.

“Bring forward the projects you believe in, and tell us what is holding them back,” he told participants, adding that Nigeria’s next phase of economic growth would depend partly on how effectively people and businesses are connected.