NCC Releases Q4 2025 Network Performance Report, Says Telecom Quality Improving Nationwide
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on Wednesday released its Quarter 4 (Q4) 2025 Network Performance Report.
The study revealed steady improvements in network quality across the country, driven largely by increased industry investment and data-driven regulatory interventions.
Speaking at a media engagement held at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja, the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the NCC, Dr Aminu Maida, said the report underscores the regulator’s commitment to transparency, accountability and continuous improvement of Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.
According to Maida, the quarterly reports, produced in collaboration with global network intelligence firm Ookla, provide independent insights into real-world network performance and the actual experience of telecom consumers across urban centres, rural communities, highways and emerging 5G zones.
“These reports enable us 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.
Maida noted that data from the Q4 2025 report shows “clear and steady improvements” in network quality compared to Q3 2025, particularly in median download speeds across both urban and rural areas.
He added that the video Quality of Experience gap between urban and rural users has narrowed, while the strength of Nigeria’s 4G backbone continues to improve.
However, he acknowledged persistent challenges in the sector, including gaps in 5G services, inequalities in upload speeds and areas with limited mobile coverage. He said the Commission is engaging operators to address these shortcomings.
Highlighting the role of investment, Maida disclosed that over $1 billion was invested in the telecom sector in 2025, leading to the deployment of more than 2,850 new network sites nationwide to expand coverage and capacity.
He added that operators have committed to exceeding their 2025 investment levels in 2026.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, Engr. Abraham Oshadami, emphasised that transparency has become a guiding principle of the NCC’s regulatory approach.
He said the Commission proactively shares performance data to strengthen public trust, support informed decision-making and hold service providers accountable to consumers.
Oshadami recalled that the NCC’s partnership with Ookla led to the development of nationwide Network Coverage Maps and the commencement of quarterly performance reporting, with the Q3 2025 report published in October last year.
“The objective of this interaction is straightforward: to share key insights from the report, highlight how the industry is performing, and provide clarity on trends that matter to both consumers and stakeholders,” he said, adding that measurable improvements are already being observed in network performance and quality of experience.
Also speaking, the Head of the NCC’s Public Affairs Department, Mrs Nnenna Ukoha, described the media as indispensable partners in ensuring that telecom data is accurately interpreted and responsibly communicated to the public.
She urged journalists to adopt “constructive framing” in reporting industry data—one that balances challenges with progress, investments, innovations and solutions being deployed—while noting that media coverage plays a key role in shaping investor confidence, consumer trust and policy direction.
The NCC said insights from the Q4 2025 Network Performance Report would continue to inform regulatory actions aimed at improving service quality, expanding connectivity and building a more inclusive digital future for Nigerians.
