The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has released its Q4 2025 Network Performance Reports, highlighting steady improvements in network quality across the country, driven by sustained industry investment and data-driven regulatory oversight.
Speaking at a media engagement in Abuja, the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the NCC, Dr Aminu Maida, said the release of the reports underscores the Commission’s commitment to transparency, accountability and the continuous enhancement of Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.
Maida explained that the reports, produced in collaboration with global analytics firm Ookla, provide independent, real-world insights into network performance and the actual experience of subscribers across urban centres, rural communities, highways and emerging 5G locations.
“Through this partnership, we are able 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 said.
According to the EVC, the Q4 2025 data shows clear and consistent improvements in network quality, particularly in median download speeds across both urban and rural areas when compared with the previous quarter.
He noted that the video Quality of Experience gap between urban and rural areas has continued to narrow, while the strength of the nation’s 4G backbone has further improved.
He acknowledged, however, that challenges remain, including gaps in 5G services and disparities in upload speeds, as well as lingering issues around mobile service coverage in some areas. Maida assured that the Commission is actively engaging operators to address these shortcomings.
Maida attributed much of the progress recorded to significant industry investments, disclosing that over $1 billion was invested in 2025, leading to the deployment of more than 2,850 new network sites nationwide to expand both coverage and capacity. He added that operators have already committed to exceeding their 2025 investment levels in 2026.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Executive Commissioner for Technical Services, Engr. Abraham Oshadami, described transparency as a guiding principle of the Commission’s regulatory approach, stressing that open access to performance data strengthens the industry, builds public trust and reinforces accountability among service providers.
Oshadami recalled that the NCC deepened this approach last year by partnering with Ookla to develop nationwide Network Coverage Maps, giving consumers an objective tool to compare network quality across locations and operators.
He said the Quarterly Network Performance Reports were introduced as part of the same initiative to provide consistent, data-driven insights into industry performance.
“The objective of this interaction is to share key findings from the Q4 2025 report, highlight industry trends and clarify issues that matter to consumers and stakeholders,” he said, noting that measurable improvements are already being observed in both network performance and overall Quality of Experience.
He described the media as strategic partners in the reform journey and urged journalists to engage critically with the data, ask questions and help communicate stories of progress, accountability and reform to the public.
Also speaking, the Head of the NCC’s Public Affairs Department, Mrs Nnenna Ukoha, reiterated the Commission’s long-standing commitment to accountability, transparency and a data-driven approach to regulation.
She said accurate and timely data must be properly understood, correctly interpreted and responsibly communicated to Nigerians, a task in which the media plays a critical role.
Ukoha explained that the media engagement was designed to deepen journalists’ understanding of the quarterly performance data and provide the necessary context to prevent misinterpretation and enhance the quality of public reporting.
She encouraged what she described as “constructive framing” of industry reports, noting that it involves presenting challenges alongside progress, highlighting solutions, investments and innovations, and recognising improvements in quality of service and user experience.
“Our quarterly performance reports offer rich material for daily news coverage, feature stories, data-driven investigations and background analysis,” she said, adding that media reporting plays a significant role in shaping investor confidence, consumer trust and policy direction.
As the Commission presented the Q4 2025 Network Performance Reports, all speakers emphasised the importance of continued collaboration among regulators, operators and the media to translate data insights into better connectivity, improved service quality and a more inclusive digital future for all Nigerians.