Nigeria recorded a total of 1.26 million terabytes of internet data usage in February 2026, according to figures from the Nigerian Communications Commission. This translates to an average of about 45,000 terabytes consumed daily, showing that demand for digital services remains strong across the country. Even though the total figure is lower than January’s 1.38 million terabytes, the daily average tells a more important story about how Nigerians are using the internet.
Experts say the drop in total usage is mainly due to the shorter number of days in February. With fewer days compared to January, overall volume naturally declined. However, daily consumption actually increased slightly, rising by about 0.7 percent. According to telecom analyst Osita Odafi, this “calendar effect” explains the difference and shows that real usage is still growing when measured properly.
The steady rise in daily data use points to a deeper trend in Nigeria’s digital economy. More people are relying on the internet for activities like streaming, online banking, remote work, and social media. This growing dependence means users are consuming more data every day, putting pressure on telecom networks but also creating more opportunities for operators to grow their revenue.
Major telecom companies such as MTN Nigeria and Airtel Nigeria continue to benefit from this trend, adding millions of new internet users. Analysts note that subscriber numbers can fluctuate due to churn, but overall growth remains steady. The data highlights the need for continued investment in infrastructure and affordable services to keep up with Nigeria’s expanding digital demand.