Three years after its debut, Nigeria’s 5G network remains limited to a wealthy few, hindered by costly devices, poor coverage, and slow infrastructure growth.
Three years after Nigeria rolled out fifth-generation (5G) mobile services, the network remains largely inaccessible to ordinary citizens, restricted to affluent users in major cities despite ambitious promises of digital transformation.
Findings by The Guardian revealed that 5G penetration stands at just 3.2 per cent, meaning only about 5.6 million Nigerians — mostly wealthy urban dwellers — enjoy the service. Although operators like MTN and Airtel have spent millions of dollars on rollout, the technology’s reach and affordability remain limited.
The steep cost of 5G-compatible smartphones, priced between ₦170,000 and ₦400,000, keeps the service far beyond the means of many Nigerians, especially those earning the ₦70,000 minimum wage.
“Apart from huge device cost and slow expansion, expected returns for the few users in the country have been abysmally poor,” said National Association of Telecom Subscribers President, Chief Deolu Ogunbanjo.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) said MTN currently covers 11 states, while Airtel operates in five, but the services are still largely confined to urban areas. Mafab Communications’ 5G rollout remains uncertain, with limited visible presence.
Telecom expert Kehinde Aluko noted that “for most Nigerians, the migration remains from 3G to 4G, not the more expensive 5G ecosystem.”
Meanwhile, global trends indicate 6G technology could debut as early as 2028, raising concerns that Nigeria may again lag behind in connectivity advancement.