… Operators Commit To Higher Investment In 2026
By CHIDIEBERE NWANKWO
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the nation’s telecommunication regulatory body, has noted that the level of investment by operators in 2025, exceeding $1 billion, is responsible for the positive changes in coverage and capacity nationwide.
Speaking at the presentation of the NCC’s Quarter 4 2025 Network Performance Report in Abuja, the Executive Vice-Chairman (EVC) of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida noted that the reports enable the Commission to track progress, identify gaps, and guide targeted regulatory interventions—ranging from spectrum optimisation and infrastructure upgrades to quality-of-service enforcement and the expansion of rural connectivity.
“In 2025, over $1 billion in industry investment resulted in the deployment of more than 2,850 new sites to expand both coverage and capacity nationwide. Much of the progress reflected in today’s reports is a direct outcome of these investments,” Maida reflected.
He also disclosed that the Commission has secured commitments from operators to exceed their 2025 investment levels in 2026, with infrastructure investments continuing in earnest.
Speaking earlier on the Reports, the NCC EVC explained: “Today’s engagement reflects our commitment to transparent, data-driven regulation and the continuous improvement of Nigeria’s digital ecosystem. Through our collaboration with Ookla, we are providing independent insights into real-world network performance and the lived experience of Nigerians across cities, rural communities, highways, and emerging 5G zones. It is in this context that we have released the Q4 2025 Network Performance Reports.”
He further noted that the Commission’s data shows clear and steady improvements in network quality, particularly in median download speeds across both urban and rural areas, especially when compared to Q3 performance. Notably, the video Quality of Experience gap between urban and rural areas has narrowed, and the strength of our 4G backbone continues to improve.
While acknowledging that the industry had challenges that reflected in gaps in 5G services and inequalities in upload speeds, as highlighted in the reports, Maida said the NCC is actively engaging with operators to address these issues, including gaps in mobile service coverage. “We look forward to continued collaboration with industry stakeholders as we translate these insights into better connectivity, improved service quality, and a more inclusive digital future for all Nigerians.”
NCC’s Head of Public Affairs Department, Mrs. Nnenna Ukoha, observed that the Commission had in the past affirmed its commitment to accountability and transparency, and a data-driven approach in implementing its mandate. “Part of this commitment is the drive to generate accurate, transparent, and timely data. Consequently, we have the responsibility to ensure that this data is properly understood, well‑interpreted, and correctly communicated to the Nigerian public. And in this effort, you, our media partners, are indispensable,” she stated.
Also in his remark earlier, the Executive Commissioner Technical Services (ECTS), Engr. Abraham Oshadami echoed the Commission’s quest for transparency, which has become a guiding principle that underpins its regulatory approach.
“We believe that open access to information strengthens the industry, builds public trust, and reinforces accountability among operators. It is for this reason that the Commission continues to proactively share data and insights on industry performance, not only to support informed decision-making, but also to ensure that service providers remain accountable to consumers.”
He further highlighted the objective of the interaction, which he said is to share key insights from the report; highlight how the industry is performing, and provide clarity on trends that matter to both consumers and stakeholders. “We are observing measurable improvements in network performance and, importantly, in the Quality of Experience delivered to consumers,” he concluded.
