Nigeria has crossed the halfway mark in broadband access, with penetration reaching 50.58% in November 2025, according to data from the Nigerian Communications Commission. However, the country missed its National Broadband Plan target of hitting 70% penetration by the end of the year.
Broadband subscriptions rose to 109.6 million, while total internet subscriptions reached 144.7 million, reflecting steady demand for connectivity.
Experts attribute the shortfall to high infrastructure costs, multiple taxes, reduced investments, and limited access to affordable devices, which continue to slow expansion in many parts of the country.
The government says it is pushing ahead with initiatives to improve access, including leveraging NigComSat to connect underserved communities and bring 20 million more Nigerians online.
Despite missing the benchmark, surpassing the 50% mark is seen as a significant step toward broader digital inclusion, with hopes that the next policy phase will accelerate progress. Visit www.jocomms.com for more news.