Nigeria’s 5G rollout lags behind device adoption in cities
Most Nigerians who bought smartphones with fifth-generation wireless technology cannot use the faster network because cellular companies have not installed enough equipment. Seven out of 10 devices in Lagos and nearly two-thirds in Abuja lack access to 5G towers, despite the towers being built to support the advanced service, according to research from Ookla and the Nigerian Communications Commission.
MTN Nigeria provides the fastest connections among the country’s four major carriers. Airtel ranks second for download performance but delivers inconsistent response times. Glo and 9mobile trail behind with weaker signals and slower fourth-generation expansion.
Lagos and Abuja residents experience network speeds that are 50% above the national average. Rural areas rely on outdated second-generation and third-generation systems that prevent millions from accessing modern internet services. The commission promised to expand coverage in underserved regions to reduce inequality between cities and the countryside.
