The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has disclosed that Nigerians now consume an average of 45,800 terabytes of internet data daily, highlighting the country’s increasing reliance on digital services and online platforms.
The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NCC, Aminu Maida, revealed this during the 2026 Workshop for Judges on Legal Issues in Telecommunications held in Lagos.
Represented by the Executive Commissioner for Stakeholder Management, Rimini Makama, Maida stated that total data consumption in March 2026 reached 1.42 million terabytes, compared to 995,000 terabytes recorded during the same period in 2025.
According to him, the current daily usage level is equivalent to Nigerians streaming more than 15 million hours of high-definition video content every day.
He explained that daily internet usage in March 2025 stood at approximately 32,100 terabytes, translating to about 10.7 million hours of HD video consumption per day, indicating a major increase in digital activity within one year.
Maida attributed the growth to the rapid expansion of Nigeria’s digital economy, driven by increased adoption of digital payments, e-commerce, technology startups, digital literacy initiatives and emerging technologies.
He noted that the country’s digital transformation continues to create new opportunities for innovation, economic inclusion and access to online services.
Despite the sector’s growth, the NCC warned that telecommunications infrastructure remains vulnerable to vandalism, fibre cuts, theft and sabotage.
Maida referenced the recent classification of telecom infrastructure as Critical National Information Infrastructure by President Bola Tinubu, stressing that telecom assets now require stronger protection due to their strategic importance to the economy and national security.
He added that the NCC is collaborating with security agencies, telecom operators and other stakeholders to strengthen infrastructure protection through nationwide asset mapping, public awareness campaigns and enhanced enforcement measures.
The commission also disclosed that its partnership with the Office of the National Security Adviser has already disrupted criminal networks involved in telecom equipment theft and illegal resale activities.
On cybersecurity, Maida said the NCC introduced the Telecommunications Identity Risk Management System (TIRMS) to combat SIM-related fraud, identity theft and abuse linked to recycled phone numbers.
He further revealed that the commission signed a memorandum of understanding with the Central Bank of Nigeria to strengthen efforts against electronic fraud connected to telecom services.
According to him, the collaboration will also involve agencies such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the National Identity Management Commission.
Chairman of the NCC Governing Board, Idris Olorunnimbe, also highlighted the growing impact of digital technology on governance, commerce, security and social interactions, while stressing the need for stronger judicial understanding of telecommunications regulations, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and consumer rights.
The NCC had earlier disclosed that telecom operators invested over N2.5 trillion in network infrastructure and upgrades in 2025 to improve service quality and support rising data demand across the country.
