There is no gainsaying internet connectivity is paramount to developmental growth, success and progress of any nation. But Nigeria’s internet frustrations are holding back millions of its citizens, unarguably. With unreliable connections, dropped calls, and painfully slow internet speeds, daily life is disrupted, and businesses suffer. The ongoing challenges in mobile networks have become a barrier not only to personal communication but to the economic progress of the nation itself. In this report, Sultan Rabiu presents in this special feature, the crippling effects of these network frustrations. This reporter also analyses how the poor internet impacts productivity, businesses, and broader economic growth. The reporter concludes that unreliable internet connectivity is stunting Nigeria’s economic potential, and that is a need for an emergency declaration in the sector.
The Growing Internet Landscape: A Double-Edged Sword
Nigeria’s internet usage has seen unprecedented growth, particularly in broadband penetration, which reached 43.5% in 2024. With over 163 million active internet users and millions more adopting smartphones and digital services, the nation has embraced the digital revolution. However, despite these gains, the quality of internet service remains woefully inconsistent, undermining the very progress it should be supporting.
In March 2024, Nigeria’s internet usage reached an impressive 753,388.77 terabytes, marking an 8.43% increase from the previous month. This surge, driven largely by the rollout of 4G and 5G networks, signals a bright future.
Yet, beneath these statistics lies a fundamental issue: the promise of a connected future is repeatedly thwarted by slow speeds, frequent service interruptions, and limited infrastructure, especially in rural areas. This gap in service delivery prevents millions of Nigerians from fully benefiting from the internet’s vast potential.
The Ripple Effects on Productivity and Economic Growth
The detrimental effects of poor internet service are far-reaching, particularly for businesses and individuals who rely heavily on digital platforms. The frustrations caused by unreliable networks result in lost productivity, missed opportunities, and a dampened economic outlook.
In an interview with Africa Health Report, (AHR), Ayomide, a content creator based in Lagos, vividly described his struggles: “Staying connected is literally how I earn my living, but recently, the network has made that almost impossible. I rely on mobile data for everything, uploading content, managing my blog, and interacting with my audience. But these past few weeks, it’s been one frustration after another.”
He further recounts how internet disruptions have caused him to lose income and miss crucial deadlines. “I’ll be in the middle of an important upload, and bam!—network disappears. Sometimes, it’s so bad that even sending a simple email feels like climbing a mountain. The worst part? I can’t even predict when it’ll work. One moment I’m fine, and the next, I’m disconnected for hours.”
Ayomide’s sentiments are echoed by many, as freelancers, business owners, and professionals struggle to meet expectations in a global digital economy.
Favour, a digital freelancer in Delta, shared his own frustrations, noting, “Slow or inconsistent connections make it difficult to complete tasks efficiently, often causing delays in meeting deadlines and reducing the overall quality of my output.”
Speaking on these issues recently at a forum in Lagos, the Chief executive officer, (CEO) of MTN Nigeria, Karl Toriola, explained that the shift to data services is a double-edged sword, “5G has been instrumental towards servicing digitisation; a lot of people are shifting their consumption from traditional voice and circuit switch services to data services.
“This shift, while pushing Nigeria toward digital inclusion, is also straining the country’s network infrastructure, resulting in slow speeds and frequent service outages.”
Network Glitches: A Barrier to Key Sectors
The frustration of unreliable internet is particularly damaging to Nigeria’s digital-driven industries. For example, the shift to remote work, accelerated by the pandemic, has created new opportunities for Nigerians to engage in freelancing and international projects. However, connectivity challenges have undermined these opportunities. Remote workers struggle to meet deadlines, attend virtual meetings, and collaborate on digital platforms due to slow speeds and unreliable connections.
E-commerce, a crucial sector driving Nigeria’s economic growth, also faces significant setbacks. Slow or disrupted internet service complicates online transactions, impedes timely deliveries, and reduces customer satisfaction—ultimately eroding trust in digital platforms. The fintech sector, which relies on internet access for secure financial transactions, is similarly at risk, as poor connectivity may deter customers from using digital financial services.
The education sector, which has increasingly relied on online learning since the pandemic, also feels the impact. Students in rural areas, in particular, face an educational divide, unable to access virtual classrooms or engage in online assessments due to poor internet access. This digital divide exacerbates inequalities, leaving disadvantaged learners further behind.
Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs), which are pivotal to Nigeria’s economic growth, are equally affected by unreliable internet. These businesses depend on steady internet access to communicate with customers, manage transactions, and stay competitive. However, slow or inconsistent connectivity increases operational costs and reduces efficiency, which stunts their potential growth in a rapidly digitizing world.
The Call for Reform: Regulatory Action Needed
Despite the rapid adoption of mobile internet in Nigeria, the country continues to face significant challenges related to service quality, infrastructure gaps, and high data costs. Many Nigerians have expressed their dissatisfaction with network providers, citing dropped calls, slow speeds, and unexpected charges.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the body responsible for regulating the telecom industry, has been criticised for its slow response to these issues, leaving millions to bear the brunt of poor service.
Gbenga Adebayo, Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), pointed out that network disruptions often occur during peak times, such as holidays, due to disruptions in telecom infrastructure, including fiber cuts, according to a statement issued by the Association of licensed Telecommunications operators of Nigeria (ALTON).
He called for greater protection of these vital infrastructures to prevent such service interruptions
To address these issues, the government, through initiatives like the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), is working to extend internet access to underserved areas. However, these efforts are insufficient to resolve broader issues such as network congestion and infrastructure deficiencies. As a result, the internet remains unreliable for many Nigerians, limiting their ability to fully participate in the global digital economy.
The Urgent Need for a Sustainable Solution
The ongoing network frustrations in Nigeria go beyond mere inconvenience, they are an economic issue. Slow speeds, poor service, and unreliable connectivity are barriers to productivity and growth, stifling innovation and entrepreneurship in a country that should be harnessing the power of the internet for its economic benefit. The Nigerian government and mobile network operators must urgently address these challenges to improve service quality, expand network capacity, and lower the cost of data. Until these issues are resolved, Nigeria will continue to face significant hurdles in realising its full economic potential in the digital age.
