MTN, Airtel, Others Increase Earnings to N3trn as Nigeria’s Appetite for Data Nearly Doubles in 2yrs
- Nigeria’s internet usage has reached a record 142.16 million active subscriptions, with monthly data consumption nearly doubling in two years
- Telecom operators like MTN Nigeria and Airtel Nigeria reported strong double-digit growth in data revenues for Q2 2025, despite higher tariffs
- Experts have emphasised data's critical role in business efficiency and connectivity, while operators explore new service models to expand coverage
Legit.ng journalist Victor Enengedi has over a decade's experience covering Energy, MSMEs, Technology, Banking and the Economy.
Nigeria’s data demand has reached unprecedented levels, with over 142.16 million active internet subscriptions, of which 141.66 million are mobile, according to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
Source: UGC
This surge is fuelled by widespread smartphone adoption, driving monthly data usage up by 93.35% in just two years, from 517,670.15 terabytes in January 2023 to 1,000,930.6 terabytes in January 2025.
Mobile subscriptions have climbed to 169 million, while rising broadband pen*tration has boosted the telecom industry’s contribution to the nation’s GDP to more than 14%, valued at roughly $10.8 billion.
Telecom giants MTN Nigeria and Airtel Nigeria both reported robust Q2 2025 results, with double-digit growth in data revenues despite inflationary pressures.
Over the past 17 months, data services have contributed an estimated N3 trillion to operators’ earnings, aided by increased consumption even after a 50% tariff adjustment.
MTN Nigeria alone posted Q2 revenue of N1.3 trillion and a pre-tax profit of N419.61 billion, alongside a net forex gain of N295 million, a remarkable recovery from the N1 trillion forex loss in the same period last year.
Why data appetite increased
Analysts credit these results to foreign exchange policy reforms, higher oil output, and other stabilisation measures.
MTN Nigeria’s Chief Financial Officer, Modupe Kadri, noted that shifting consumer habits are redefining telecom business strategies.
Speaking during a Channels Television interview, Kadri said:
“The average consumer would choose to buy data rather than buy food. Data is the new oil.”
Kadri also highlighted data's role in enabling business transactions, virtual meetings, and instant communication.
While voice traffic still grows in Nigeria, unlike in mature markets where it has declined sharply, operators are focusing on innovative service models to extend network reach and improve efficiency.
Source: Facebook
MTN suffers a cyberattack
In related news, Legit.ng reported that MTN Group suffered a cyberattack, resulting in the exposure of customer data across multiple countries.
The breach, which targeted MTN, granted unauthorised access to the personal information of users in several regions.
However, MTN reassured the public in a statement that its critical infrastructure, core platforms, and services remained unaffected by the incident.
Source: Legit.ng
