Abuja — Nigeria’s data consumption surged to an all-time high in July 2025, even as the number of active internet subscriptions declined, underscoring a shift in digital behavior across the country.
Fresh industry data shows that Nigerians consumed more bandwidth in July than ever before, driven largely by increased streaming, remote work activities, online learning, and the rising popularity of short-form video platforms. However, despite the surge in usage, the number of active subscriptions recorded a marginal dip, suggesting that fewer users are consuming significantly more data.
Analysts attribute the trend to improved 4G coverage, the gradual rollout of 5G services, and an increase in bundled data packages from telecom providers that encourage heavy usage. Many Nigerians are also relying more on Wi-Fi networks at home and in public spaces, which has reduced the need for multiple mobile subscriptions.
Telecom experts believe this pattern signals an evolving digital economy where internet penetration is being measured less by the number of active lines and more by total data traffic. They further project that data consumption will continue to rise in the coming months, driven by growing dependence on digital services in banking, education, entertainment, and e-commerce.