By Gabriel Ameh
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, unveiled its Network Performance Report for the fourth quarter of 2025, offering a data-driven overview of mobile connectivity trends across the country.
The report, which draws from data generated by millions of real users, is designed to help the Commission track progress, identify service gaps, and guide targeted regulatory interventions aimed at improving quality of service nationwide.
Presenting the report, the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, provided an in-depth analysis of Nigeria’s mobile network landscape, highlighting regional performance variations and areas requiring attention.
A key feature of the report is its assessment of mobile coverage and signal quality along more than 300,000 kilometres of major road corridors, capturing the real connectivity experience of motorists and commuters.
The findings revealed noticeable disparities between 5G deployment and actual user experience, with some areas still experiencing weak signals and slower speeds.
The report also identified quality gaps affecting everyday connectivity, particularly in rural communities, and pointed to challenges related to network stability and responsiveness.
Speaking further, the Executive Commissioner for Technical Services, Engr. Abraham Oshadami, said the report underscores the Commission’s commitment to transparent regulation and continuous improvement of Nigeria’s digital ecosystem. He noted that the findings show measurable improvements in network quality, especially in median download speeds across both urban and rural areas when compared to the previous quarter.
According to Oshadami, the report serves as a tool for monitoring performance, supporting spectrum optimisation, guiding infrastructure upgrades, enforcing quality-of-service standards, and expanding rural connectivity.
The data also showed a reduction in the gap in video Quality of Experience between urban and rural areas, alongside continued strengthening of the country’s 4G network backbone. However, the Commission acknowledged persisting challenges, including gaps in 5G service coverage and disparities in upload speeds, noting that it is actively engaging operators to address these issues.
The report revealed that more than $1 billion was invested in the telecom sector in 2025, leading to the deployment of 2,850 new network sites nationwide.
Also speaking at the presentation, the Head of the NCC’s Public Affairs Department, Mrs. Nnenna Ukoha, urged media practitioners to adopt what she described as “constructive framing” in their reports a balanced approach that highlights both progress and challenges while showcasing the solutions, investments, and innovations shaping the sector.
She encouraged the media to reflect improvements in service quality and support the resilience and growth of Nigeria’s telecommunications industry through responsible reporting.
