Nigeria’s growing appetite for mobile data is being driven by a young, digitally connected population, rising smartphone ownership and an explosion in online content creation, according to MTN Nigeria’s Chief Financial Officer, Modupe Kadri.
Speaking during an interview on Arise News’ Global Business Report, Kadri said smartphone penetration in Nigeria has climbed to about 66%, up from roughly 55% a year ago, giving millions more people access to digital services and social media. He noted that the country’s youthful demographic continues to fuel demand as more Nigerians consume and create online content.
The growing trend is placing increasing pressure on telecom infrastructure, Brandspur Banking News Desk reports. According to Kadri, major events that attract heavy social media activity generate significant spikes in data traffic as users upload videos, stream live content and share posts across multiple platforms.
Rather than slowing investment, MTN says it is expanding its network to keep pace with rising demand. Kadri disclosed that the company has invested about ₦1.6 trillion in network infrastructure since January 2025, with spending still ongoing to strengthen capacity and improve service quality.
He said the investment reflects MTN’s commitment to building a more resilient network capable of supporting Nigeria’s rapidly expanding digital economy, even as customer demand continues to outpace expectations.
The comments come as mobile data has become increasingly central to everyday life in Nigeria, powering remote work, digital banking, online learning, entertainment, e-commerce and the country’s fast-growing creator economy. With smartphone adoption continuing to rise, telecom operators are under pressure to expand network coverage and improve reliability while meeting the needs of millions of connected users.
