Residents of Abuja and northern Nigeria are grappling with persistent poor internet connectivity marked by slow speeds, frequent outages, and unreliable service as the country struggles to meet its broadband expansion goals.
Despite Nigeria’s ambition to achieve 70 percent broadband penetration by the end of 2025, the current rate remains stagnant at about 48.81 percent as of August 2025. This stagnation has left major cities like Abuja and large parts of the North digitally disadvantaged.
With poverty levels exceeding 60 percent in northern Nigeria, experts warn that the region’s limited access to reliable internet could worsen existing inequalities and hinder participation in the digital economy.
The crisis has been linked to several factors, including damaged undersea cables, vandalism, and inadequate fibre-optic infrastructure.
A recent report by GSMA, the global telecoms industry body, revealed that around 130 million Nigerians remain offline despite living within areas technically covered by mobile broadband. The report blames the slow rollout of the National Broadband Plan (2020–2025) for widening the gap between connected and unconnected citizens.
In the Federal Capital Territory, complaints about poor service have flooded social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
One resident, @RightSideWitGod, lamented: “Very poor internet service in Abuja, Kado, particularly. The decline has worsened over time.”
Another user, @amare_of, expressed frustration from Asokoro: “The connection has been consistently unreliable and slow. This experience is unacceptable.”
Similarly, @Badmosgraphics from Ushafa reported: “It’s now normal for both call and data networks to disappear for hours daily without explanation.”
Hostile Actions and Infrastructure Gaps
Gbenga Adebayo, Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), said ongoing investments in network optimization and fibre expansion are being undermined by hostile government actions.
He cited excessive right-of-way fees, vandalism, and diesel supply blockades as key threats to telecom service delivery especially in northern regions where infrastructure deployment remains difficult.
“Vandalism alone caused multiple disruptions between May and July 2025,” Adebayo said. “These incidents threaten digital inclusion and risk isolating entire communities from essential services.”
He urged state governments to create a supportive regulatory environment to ensure network stability and protect telecom assets.
NCC Promises Action
The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida, disclosed that the telecom sector attracted over $1 billion in new investments in 2025, driven by recent policy reforms and tariff adjustments.
According to him, the funds from Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) will be used to strengthen infrastructure in underserved areas beginning with the northern region as part of efforts to bridge the digital divide.
“The $1 billion investment will start from the North, with fibre backbone expansion in the North Central region,” Maida said.
He added that the NCC is working with state governors to reduce right-of-way charges and achieve an additional 90,000 kilometres of fibre deployment by the end of 2025.
Experts say achieving this target will be crucial for ensuring inclusive digital access, fostering innovation, and keeping Nigeria on track toward its national broadband goals.
