By Daniel Oluwatobiloba Popoola
The Nigerian Communications Commission has disclosed that telecommunications operators and tower companies invested about N2.5tn in network infrastructure and upgrades in 2025, even as Nigerians continue to grapple with dropped calls, slow internet speeds, unstable data services and persistent network disruptions across parts of the country.
The commission made the disclosure on Wednesday, 13 May, 2026 in a statement signed by its Head of Public Affairs, Nnenna Ukoha, while addressing growing public concerns over deteriorating telecom service quality and ongoing efforts to improve network performance nationwide.
According to the NCC, Mobile Network Operators invested more than N2.13tn in network expansion and upgrades in 2025, while tower companies committed an additional N373.8bn to infrastructure development across the sector.
The regulator explained that the investments supported the addition and upgrade of over 2,800 telecommunications sites nationwide, aimed at addressing network coverage gaps and boosting capacity in underserved and high-demand locations.
However, despite the massive investments, the commission acknowledged that many Nigerians still experience service instability, poor internet connectivity and network congestion.
“The Commission recognises the frustration experienced by consumers when calls drop, internet speeds slow down, data services become unstable, or service disruptions affect daily activities,” the statement read.
The NCC stressed that telecommunications services have become central to economic activities, education, business operations and access to essential services, adding that subscribers deserve reliable services and value for money.
Consequently, the commission said improving Quality of Service had remained one of its top regulatory priorities over the past two years, with intensified monitoring of mobile network operators, internet service providers and tower companies.
Furthermore, the regulator disclosed that the telecom industry is currently undergoing one of its largest network modernisation and expansion phases in recent years following what it described as prolonged under-investment in infrastructure.
According to the NCC, the ongoing interventions include the deployment of faster 4G and 5G infrastructure on existing sites, expansion of fibre backhaul systems to improve network resilience, rollout of services in high-demand urban centres and underserved communities, as well as the replacement of ageing equipment.
“These investments are welcome, but the Commission’s expectation is that they must translate into visible and measurable service improvements for consumers,” the commission stated.
The NCC revealed that network expansion efforts had continued in 2026 as operators respond to rising data consumption and the rapid growth of Nigeria’s digital economy.
The commission disclosed that telecom operators had committed to adding and upgrading more than 12,000 telecom sites in 2026, with nearly 3,000 already completed.
Similarly, over 730 additional 5G sites have reportedly been deployed across 27 states this year to strengthen network capacity and broadband penetration.
In addition, the NCC said it facilitated the reallocation of idle and underutilised radio spectrum among the three major mobile network operators in line with its Spectrum Trading Guidelines.
According to the commission, the spectrum rearrangement was designed to improve spectral efficiency, expand network capacity and enhance overall service performance for subscribers.
The regulator also noted that its Quality of Service and Quality of Experience assessments, conducted through crowdsourced and field-based analytics, indicated gradual improvements in network performance across several parts of the country.
It stated that 4G penetration increased from 45 per cent in January 2024 to 54 per cent currently, while national median download speeds improved from 16.5 megabits per second to 20 megabits per second within the same period.
Likewise, power availability at telecom tower sites improved from a national average of 99.3 per cent in January 2025 to 99.7 per cent currently.
