Abuja, January 28, 2026 – The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) today unveiled its Quarterly Network Performance Reports for the fourth quarter of 2025, showcasing measurable improvements in the nation’s telecommunications network quality and a narrowing digital divide between urban and rural areas.
The reports were presented during a media engagement session at the Commission’s head office in Abuja, attended by key industry stakeholders and press representatives. In his remarks, the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, stated that the release underscores the regulator’s commitment to “transparent, data-driven regulation and the continuous improvement of Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.”
The data, developed in partnership with global connectivity intelligence firm Ookla, provides independent insights into real-world network performance across cities, rural communities, highways, and emerging 5G zones.
“The 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,” Dr. Maida said. He highlighted that the video Quality of Experience gap between urban and rural areas has narrowed, and the strength of the country’s 4G backbone continues to improve.
The reports also serve as a critical tool for regulatory action. Dr. Maida explained they enable the NCC 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.”
Significant industry investment was noted as a primary driver of the progress. The EVC revealed that in 2025 alone, over $1 billion in industry investment resulted in the deployment of more than 2,850 new sites to expand coverage and capacity nationwide. He added that operators have committed to exceeding these investment levels in 2026.
While celebrating the gains, the reports also identify persistent challenges, including gaps in 5G service availability and inequalities in upload speeds. “The industry is not without challenges,” Dr. Maida acknowledged, confirming that the Commission is “actively engaging with operators to address these issues, including gaps in mobile service coverage.”
Earlier, the Executive Commissioner of Technical Services, Engr. Abraham Oshadami, welcomed attendees, reinforcing that transparency is a guiding principle for the NCC. He noted that the partnership with Ookla, which began with nationwide Network Coverage Maps, has evolved into these quarterly reports to ensure “consistent, data-driven insights” and operator accountability.
Mrs. Nnenna Ukoha, Head of the Public Affairs Department, emphasized the role of the media as “indispensable” partners in accurately communicating this technical data to the public. She encouraged “constructive framing” of reports—highlighting progress alongside challenges, and the solutions being deployed.
The NCC leadership collectively expressed optimism for the sector’s future, looking forward to continued collaboration with all stakeholders to translate data insights into “better connectivity, improved service quality, and a more inclusive digital future for all Nigerians.”
