Nigerian telcos to boost network spending beyond $1bn in 2026

Mobile network operators in Nigeria plan to increase their investment in network infrastructure this year, committing to spend more than the over $1 billion invested in the sector during 2025.

This announcement was made by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

This renewed commitment follows a year of significant capital expenditure in 2025, when telecom companies deployed more than 2,850 new network sites.

This expansion enhanced coverage across cities, rural areas, and major transport corridors, while also supporting the gradual rollout of 5G services.

Dr. Aminu Maida, the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, stated that the improvements detailed in the regulator’s latest network performance report are largely a result of last year’s spending.

He confirmed that operators have pledged to exceed their 2025 investment levels in 2026.

The push for expanded investment comes as Africa’s most populous nation contends with rising data demand, higher operating costs, and the need to extend reliable connectivity beyond urban centers.

Last year’s infrastructure expansion occurred after a period of financial strain that led operators to seek tariff increases.

A subsequent 50 percent hike in service charges, approved by regulators, helped restore profitability and enabled a return to ambitious investment plans.

The NCC’s Q4 2025 report showed steady gains in key performance indicators, including improved median download speeds in both urban and rural areas and a narrowing gap in video quality experience.

The regulator emphasized its use of independently verified data from firms like Ookla to guide decisions on spectrum optimization, infrastructure upgrades, and rural connectivity.

While acknowledging progress, the NCC also identified ongoing challenges, including gaps in 5G availability, inequalities in upload speeds, and limited mobile coverage in some regions.

Dr. Maida noted that the planned increase in 2026 infrastructure spending will be critical to addressing these shortcomings and supporting the country’s growing data demand.

The Commission stated that its publication of network performance reports is part of a broader strategy for transparent, data-driven regulation.

It expects that the increased investment from operators will lead to continued improvements in network reliability, speed, and coverage, fostering a more inclusive digital ecosystem for all Nigerians.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled:  Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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