Data Rich, Infrastructure Poor: Why Nigeria May Never Get Unlimited Internet Access

Booming Revenues, Lagging Infrastructure

In 2023 alone, Nigeria’s telecommunications sector raked in a staggering ₦3.7 trillion in revenue—driven largely by data subscriptions. According to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the number of active internet subscriptions crossed 160 million, making Nigeria Africa’s largest data market by volume.

Yet, despite this massive cash inflow, the country’s network infrastructure remains shockingly underdeveloped. Industry insiders say telecom operators are prioritizing short-term profits over long-term investments that would make unlimited, high-speed data a reality.

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The Fiber Optic Drought

A key bottleneck to unlimited data is the glaring absence of fiber-optic connectivity to telecom towers. Of the over 38,000 base transceiver stations (BTS) in Nigeria, only about 8,000 are connected to fiber—barely 22%. The rest rely on microwave or satellite backhaul, which are significantly slower and bandwidth-constrained.

“Without fiber, there’s no real unlimited data. You can’t offer what your network can’t carry,” said telecom engineer Aminu Olabisi.

Experts say countries like South Korea and the UAE offer true unlimited plans because nearly 100% of their towers are fiber-connected, ensuring ultra-fast speeds and high-capacity networks.

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“We Pay More, Get Less”: Consumers Speak Out

For everyday Nigerians, the dream of streaming videos or working from home without worrying about data caps remains just that—a dream.

“I recharge ₦5,000 every week and it disappears after watching two football highlights and one Zoom call,” lamented Ebere Umeh, a digital freelancer in Enugu. “Unlimited data? That’s science fiction in Nigeria.”

In Kano, food vendor Musa Garba described data as “more expensive than fuel.” In Lagos, students complain of poor access to learning materials due to data exhaustion. “We are in 2025 and still counting megabytes like it’s gold dust,” one student remarked.

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What the Experts Are Saying

Economists and tech analysts are beginning to sound the alarm.

“Telcos are focused on maximizing profits through capped data bundles rather than investing in nationwide broadband,” said Ijeoma Nwachukwu, a telecom policy expert. “It’s a classic case of monopolistic behavior in an under-regulated market.”

She added that with inflation and exchange rate volatility, telecom firms are passing costs to consumers without improving service quality. Meanwhile, government targets of 70% broadband penetration by 2025 look more like political slogans than actionable roadmaps.

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Government Promises vs. Ground Reality

The Federal Government launched the National Broadband Plan (NBP 2020–2025) to boost internet penetration and reduce costs. But progress has been sluggish. In many rural areas, coverage is patchy or non-existent, and even in urban centers, speeds are inconsistent.

Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, has repeatedly promised “affordable broadband for all.” But experts argue that without massive infrastructure investment and policy enforcement, such ambitions will remain on paper.

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Can 5G Bridge the Gap?

Nigeria launched its 5G network in 2022 amid much fanfare, with telcos like MTN and Mafab obtaining licenses. But so far, the rollout has been slow, expensive, and largely limited to high-end users in major cities.

“5G needs fiber, electricity, and devices. Most Nigerians lack all three,” said tech analyst Oladele Babatunde. “Even 4G isn’t fully optimized yet.”

And while 5G promises blazing speeds and potential for unlimited usage, current pricing and limited device compatibility keep it out of reach for the average citizen.

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Bottom Line: A Digital Future Still Out of Reach

Until Nigeria’s telecom industry overhauls its infrastructure and regulators enforce serious broadband expansion, unlimited data will remain a mirage. For now, Nigerians continue to navigate the digital age with rationed megabytes, overpriced bundles, and empty promises.

“Let them keep saying we’re the biggest data market in Africa,” said Lagos-based university student, Fatima Akinbinu. “What’s the use if we can’t even stream a lecture without buffering?”