Nigeria’s 5G network penetration has reached only 14 per cent, falling significantly short of the Federal Government’s target of 30 per cent under the National Broadband Plan, nearly four years after the technology was commercially launched. Data from the Nigerian Communications Commission showed that while broadband penetration has risen to 55.67 per cent with more than 120.7 million active subscriptions, actual 5G usage remains at just five per cent of the population.
Chief Executive Officer of Wave5Wireless, Wande Adalemo, attributed the slow adoption to high infrastructure costs, naira depreciation, unreliable electricity supply, fibre optic cable vandalism and limited network expansion beyond major cities. He warned that Nigeria risks investing heavily in 5G infrastructure without achieving widespread adoption, urging operators to embrace shared infrastructure and accelerate fibre deployment to reduce costs and improve coverage.
Adalemo also called on the Federal Government to fast track Project BRIDGE, the proposed 90,000 kilometre nationwide fibre optic network, and promote partnerships that would make 5G enabled smartphones more affordable through flexible financing. He argued that greater collaboration among telecom operators and internet service providers would accelerate broadband access, particularly in densely populated urban centres.
Also speaking, financial and technology analyst Frank Samuel said Nigeria’s 5G rollout has relied too heavily on private sector investment, stressing that stronger government funding and better protection of telecom infrastructure are needed to drive wider adoption. He added that expanding reliable broadband connectivity remains critical to achieving the Federal Government’s ambition of building a one trillion dollar digital economy.