Nigeria’s telecommunications sector expanded by 5.78 percent in real terms in the third quarter of 2025, showing resilience despite a slight slowdown from the previous quarter, new data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed on Tuesday.
The performance, down from 6.1 percent growth in Q2, reflects sustained nationwide demand for mobile voice, data and broadband services. Operators’ continued investments in network expansion, fibre rollout and 5G readiness also helped shield the industry from wider economic pressures.
Mobile subscriptions have climbed past 220 million, while rising smartphone use has boosted data consumption across urban and rural areas. Internet services remained a major growth driver, supporting fintech, e-commerce and digital media platforms that rely on reliable connectivity.
The telecom industry contributed about 9.1 percent to GDP in Q3, reinforcing its position as one of Nigeria’s top-performing sectors. The broader ICT sector, dominated by telecoms, remained among the economy’s most resilient segments, the NBS report said.
Telecommunications accounted for more than 80 percent of total ICT output, underscoring its central role in digital services, financial inclusion and enterprise connectivity. Its GDP share rose from 8.95 percent a year earlier, driven by higher data usage and steady investment in digital infrastructure.
