The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has disclosed that Nigerians now consume about 45,800 terabytes of data daily, underscoring the country’s growing reliance on internet services, digital platforms, and technology-driven activities.
Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NCC, Aminu Maida, revealed this during the 2026 Workshop for Judges on Legal Issues in Telecommunications held in Lagos.
Maida, who was represented by Rimini Makama, said total data consumption in March 2026 rose to 1.42 million terabytes, compared with 995,000 terabytes recorded during the corresponding period in 2025.
According to him, the latest figures indicate that Nigerians are consuming significantly more digital content and internet-based services than they did a year ago.
“Put another way, this is roughly equivalent to Nigerians watching over 15 million hours of high-definition video every single day,” Maida said.
He added that daily data consumption in March 2025 stood at approximately 32,100 terabytes, which translated to about 10.7 million hours of HD video streaming per day.
“This means Nigerians are now using the equivalent of about 4.6 million more hours of HD video every day than they did a year ago,” he stated.
Maida explained that the increase in internet usage reflects the rapid expansion of Nigeria’s digital economy, driven by the rise of digital payments, e-commerce platforms, startups, digital literacy initiatives, and emerging technologies.
“The rapid growth of digital payments, e-commerce platforms, startups, digital literacy, and the adoption of emerging technologies underscores the immense potential of our digital economy to drive innovation and expand opportunities,” he said.
Despite the impressive growth, the NCC boss warned that telecommunications infrastructure across the country remains vulnerable to vandalism, fibre cuts, theft of equipment, and sabotage.
He referenced the recent designation of telecommunications infrastructure as Critical National Information Infrastructure by Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that telecom assets now require stronger protection because of their strategic importance to the country’s economy and security.
According to Maida, the NCC is collaborating with security agencies, telecom operators, and other stakeholders to strengthen infrastructure protection through nationwide asset mapping, public sensitisation campaigns, mediation efforts, and stricter enforcement measures.
He added that the Commission’s partnership with the Office of the National Security Adviser had already disrupted syndicates involved in the theft and resale of telecommunications equipment.
On cybersecurity, Maida said the NCC had launched the Telecommunications Identity Risk Management System (TIRMS) to combat SIM-related fraud, identity theft, and abuses linked to recycled phone numbers.
He further disclosed that the Commission had signed a memorandum of understanding with the Central Bank of Nigeria to strengthen efforts against electronic fraud connected to phone numbers.
According to him, the collaboration will also involve agencies such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the National Identity Management Commission.
Also speaking at the event, Idris Olorunnimbe said digital technologies had transformed governance, commerce, security systems, and social interactions across modern economies worldwide.
Olorunnimbe stressed that issues surrounding cybersecurity, online harms, infrastructure protection, artificial intelligence, and consumer rights require stronger institutional collaboration and improved judicial understanding of Nigeria’s evolving telecommunications and digital regulatory landscape.
He expressed confidence that the workshop would enhance the judiciary’s capacity to effectively adjudicate telecommunications-related disputes while supporting innovation, protecting citizens, and safeguarding Nigeria’s digital infrastructure and broader digital economy.
