According to the Nigeria Network Performance & 5G Opportunity Analysis report, conducted by Ookla in partnership with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), about 70.9% of 5G-compatible devices in Lagos and 65.6% in Abuja are unable to connect to any 5G network.
While Nigerians have rapidly adopted 5G-ready smartphones, the infrastructure to support these devices remains largely underdeveloped.
The report highlights that urban areas like Lagos benefit from better infrastructure, whereas rural regions are still heavily dependent on 2G and 3G networks. It stated, “This imbalance continues to limit digital inclusion and economic opportunities outside the major cities.”
Among network operators, MTN Nigeria emerged as the clear leader, offering higher download and upload speeds with lower latency. Airtel followed closely in download performance but still lags in latency. Glo and 9mobile, however, remain further behind in overall performance.
In response, the NCC reaffirmed its commitment to accelerating 4G and 5G expansion in rural areas to bridge the country’s growing digital divide.
The regulator emphasized that improving latency, reducing jitter, and extending next-generation coverage are crucial steps toward closing Nigeria’s digital gap.