The latest Quality of Experience (QoE) data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and Ookla has brought to light persistent issues with 5G penetration in Nigeria, indicating an average coverage gap of 55% as of December 2025. This significant gap underscores a critical digital divide, primarily driven by device readiness outpacing the actual deployment and availability of 5G infrastructure across the nation. Even in major urban centers like Lagos and FCT Abuja, coverage stands at a mere 27% and 31% respectively, leaving the vast majority of 5G-capable smartphones reliant on 4G networks.

Fifth-generation mobile technology promises faster speeds, lower delays, and the capacity to support millions of connected devices. However, the ambitious network upgrade has put Nigerian operators in a challenging position, as they grapple with the complex infrastructure demands required for widespread deployment. The rollout of 5G in Nigeria began with MTN in September 2022, followed by Airtel in June 2023. Mafab Communications also launched its services in January 2023 in Abuja and Lagos, but its operations have yet to commence. With an overall average coverage of 65% in major cities, it means that for more than half the time, a 5G smartphone user in these areas cannot connect to the 5G network.

This situation creates an ironic and disturbing paradox: while Nigerians are overcoming affordability barriers by acquiring 5G-enabled devices, they are simultaneously confronted with the severe non-availability of adequate network infrastructure. Breaking down the quarterly reports further reveals that the average 5G coverage gap in Lagos stood at 55.4%, with high-density commercial zones experiencing an even higher gap of about 64% (MTN: 50%, Airtel: 77%). This poses a significant threat to business and commercial activities in areas like Lagos Island and Victoria Island, where high-speed network performance is crucial for daily operations. FCT Abuja's coverage gap was slightly better at 47.4%, though still indicating that nearly half of potential 5G connections fail. Despite these challenges, urban cities, with 30-40% coverage, are still outpacing rural areas in 5G rollout, highlighting a continuing disparity.

The data from NCC and Ookla reveals a critical flaw in the Nigerian telecom industry's 5G strategy, demonstrating that deployment lags significantly behind device readiness. It exposes a substantial gap between user potential and network availability, particularly in Nigeria's largest cities. Currently, only two of the three licensed operators, MTN and Airtel, are actively deploying 5G services, which further exacerbates the coverage gap. Furthermore, the network has seen slow growth in market share; industry data shows that only 6.3 million Nigerian telecom subscribers (3.6%) utilize the 5G network, while 4G remains dominant with 60% adoption. This is in stark contrast to global trends, where 3 billion people are 5G subscribers and smartphone readiness continues to increase.

In Abuja, for instance, the deployment gap persists at an average of 66% (MTN: 49% gap, Airtel: 83% gap), indicating a slow pace of rollout against planned targets. Only 31% of 5G-capable devices in the capital city successfully connect to the network. The report encourages additional players to enter the market; with only two major operators, the 5G gap hovers around 50%, but with more competition, effective coverage could potentially climb to 83% to 99% in major cities. While Nigerian subscribers are ready, the industry continues to lag. Increased availability of the ultra-fast network is crucial for boosting 5G subscribers in Nigeria, as demand must meet supply.

Operators face numerous challenges including infrastructure vandalism, frequent fibre optic cuts, the high cost of tower upgrades, issues with Right of Way (RoW) acquisition, especially in rural areas, and persistent problems with epileptic power supply. To optimize the potential of 5G networks in Nigeria, the report suggests that operators should increase their focus on existing sites in Lagos and Abuja to reduce the current 55% coverage gap, thereby making 5G accessible to nearly half of the currently unserved users. Additionally, there is a recognized need to accelerate the phase-out of 2G and 3G networks to free up valuable spectrum for 4G and 5G deployment. For operators, this rollout strategy should also involve targeted investment in rural areas and states with vast rural communities. As Nigeria strives to expand broadband connectivity, improving latency and extending next-generation coverage are pivotal steps towards bridging the country's growing digital divide and achieving its ambitious $1 trillion digital economy target.