To enhance users’ experience, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) should expedite the decommissioning of 2G and 3G networks to free up spectrum for 4G and 5G and likely, prioritise latency and jitter as stability is now a better indicator of user satisfaction than peak speed.
This advisory by Ookla is based on the Q4 Network Performance Report, which reveals a gap between 5G device capabilities and existing 5G infrastructure. The report indicates effective 5G coverage is 27 per cent in Lagos and 31 per cent in Abuja, suggesting that more capable devices in both cities still utilise 4G.
The report revealed inconsistencies in provider services, noting that the market leader maintained a 5G coverage gap of approximately 50 per cent, while other major operators exhibited gaps ranging from 83 to 99 per cent in key urban areas.
Urban centres such as Lagos and the FCT consistently outperform rural regions by 30-40 per cent across key performance indicators.
According to the report, MTN excels nationally in throughput and latency stability, leading 5G rollout performance. Airtel is a competitive challenger with a balanced profile but lags in real-time readiness.
T2 (formerly 9Mobile) excels in throughput but, as a local player, lacks the national reach of larger competitors. While Glo offers widespread connectivity, it lags in stability, according to the Ookla report.
Ookla findings show 5G phones in Lagos can only access 5G technology less than half the time due to an average coverage gap of 55.4 per cent. Specifically, MTN 5G infrastructure is inaccessible 50 per cent of the time, while Airtel’s is inaccessible 77 per cent of the time.
In Lagos, the country’s economic hub, findings show 499 critical areas have a 70 per cent deficit, mainly in high-density commercial zones.
Abuja’s connectivity gap averages 47.4 per cent, slightly better than Lagos. However, only 31 per cent of 5G-capable devices in the FCT successfully connect to 5G, with MTN and Airtel showing an 83 per cent deployment imbalance.
Lagos, FCT, and Rivers states have 30-40 per cent faster download speeds and lower latency than rural Northern states, which rely on slower 2G/3G networks, thus dragging down national averages. The report attributes the disparity to network upgrades primarily benefiting high-density areas, with minimal impact on underserved areas.
To improve performance, the report recommended that providers concentrate on current sites in Abuja and Lagos, aiming to reach 50 per cent of currently blocked users by bridging the 55 per cent access gap.
It also urged increased infrastructure investment in key rural areas with large populations to bridge the 40 per cent regional performance gap.
According to NCC Executive Chairman Aminu Maida, Ookla’s Q4 2025 report gives independent insights into the real-world network performance and experiences of Nigerians in diverse environments, including cities, rural areas, highways, and developing 5G zones.
“These reports enable us to track progress, identify gaps, and guide targeted regulatory interventions—ranging from spectrum optimisation and infrastructure upgrades to quality-of-service enforcement and the expansion of rural connectivity.
He explained that the data show clear and steady improvements in network quality, particularly in median download speeds across both urban and rural areas, especially when compared to Q3 performance. Notably, the video Quality of Experience gap between urban and rural areas has narrowed, and the strength of our 4G backbone continues to improve.
“The industry has challenges, as reflected in gaps in 5G services and inequalities in upload speeds highlighted in the reports. However, we are actively engaging with operators to address these issues, including gaps in mobile service coverage.
He also stated that over $1 billion was invested in 2025 to deploy over 2,850 new sites nationwide, expanding coverage and capacity, which is reflected in the reports.
He stated that operators have committed to exceeding their 2025 investment in infrastructure by 2026, and ongoing collaboration will improve connectivity, service quality, and digital inclusion for all Nigerians.
NCC Technical Services Executive Commissioner Abraham Oshadami stated that the Q4 report, an improvement over the Q3 2025 report, clarifies industry performance and key trends for consumers and stakeholders. “As you will see, our collective efforts are beginning to yield positive results. We are observing measurable improvements in network performance and, importantly, in the quality of experience delivered to consumers.
