The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has disclosed that nearly half of Nigerians who own 5G-enabled devices are unable to use the service due to limited network coverage across the country.

Edoyemi Ogoh, Director of Technical Standards and Network Integrity at the NCC, made the disclosure on Wednesday while presenting the telecommunications industry performance report for the fourth quarter of 2025.

According to Ogoh, despite growing adoption of 5G-capable smartphones and devices, infrastructure deployment has not kept pace nationwide, leaving many users without access to the high-speed network.

“About 50 percent of Nigerians with 5G devices don’t have access to 5G service,” he said, attributing the gap primarily to uneven rollout and coverage limitations.

The revelation highlights ongoing challenges in Nigeria’s transition to next-generation mobile technology, even as operators continue to expand network infrastructure in major urban centres. Industry analysts note that broader 5G availability will depend on increased investment, spectrum utilisation, and supportive regulatory frameworks.