MTN Nigeria drives broadband growth, hits 51.1 million users

MTN Nigeria broadband grows to 51.1 million users, led by 4G/5G expansion, FTTH rollout, and N32.23bn social investment in national priorities

MTN Nigeria has reinforced its position as a key partner in the Federal Government’s broadband expansion agenda, announcing an active data user base of 51.1 million—a 12.8 per cent year-on-year increase.

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The growth is attributed to the company’s aggressive leadership in 4G and 5G deployment, as well as the accelerated rollout of its Fibre-to-the-Home (FTTH) network.

MTN also highlighted its strong corporate social responsibility, committing over N32.23 billion through the MTN Foundation to national priorities including youth empowerment, digital inclusion, and national development.

“We are proud to be the first telco to achieve over 82 per cent 4G coverage and the first to roll out 5G in Nigeria, already reaching an estimated 15 million people,” the company said, emphasising its drive to make high-speed connectivity accessible across the country.

Robust capital expenditure supports these achievements. Excluding leases, MTN Nigeria’s capex soared 248 per cent to N757.4 billion, directed at reducing network congestion and enhancing broadband delivery to homes via FTTH.

Demand for data remains strong, with average subscriber usage rising 20.8 per cent to 13.2GB and total data traffic increasing 36.3 per cent year-on-year.

The telco’s home broadband base also expanded to 4 million subscribers, with 281,000 added in Q3 alone, reflecting rising demand for ultra-fast connectivity.

MTN Nigeria’s social impact is equally notable. Its Foundation supports critical initiatives such as the MTN Skills Academy, STEM scholarships, and the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) Programme, aligned with federal efforts to expand technical skills nationwide.

Beneficiaries like Sofiya Mustapha, a visually impaired student, credited MTN scholarships with enabling her to gain skills in English and data programming, while others praised the Foundation for providing a platform to realise their potential.

In infrastructure development, MTN is advancing the rehabilitation of the 110-kilometre Enugu-Onitsha Expressway under the RITC scheme, which is now 50 per cent complete.

This demonstrates the company’s commitment to supporting national growth priorities while maintaining fiscal strength, having recorded a profit after tax of N750.2 billion and paid over N6.9 trillion in taxes.

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Chief Corporate Services & Sustainability Officer at MTN Nigeria affirmed, “We are committed to ensuring access to modern connectivity for every Nigerian. Everyone deserves the benefits of a digitally connected life.”

David Okere