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By Chinenye Anuforo
Nigeria’s efforts to expand fifth-generation (5G) connectivity are facing fresh scrutiny following new data showing that more than 57,000 users in Lagos and Abuja are unable to access 5G services despite owning compatible devices.
An analysis released by the Nigerian Communications Commission indicated that consumer adoption of 5G-ready smartphones has outpaced network deployment by telecom operators. The data showed that Lagos accounts for 41,057 5G-capable devices without network access, while Abuja has 16,143, highlighting the scale of unmet demand in Nigeria’s two most digitally active cities.
According to the commission’s Network Performance and 5G Opportunity Analysis, Lagos recorded an average 5G coverage gap of 70.9 per cent, while Abuja posted 65.6 per cent. The figures suggested that, despite the commercial launch of 5G services, large sections of both cities remain outside effective coverage.
Nigeria awarded nationwide 5G licences to major operators in 2021 with clearly defined rollout obligations. These included phased deployment in urban centres, adherence to international quality benchmarks on speed, latency and availability, and efficient use of assigned spectrum within specified timelines.
However, more than three years after the licences were issued, the latest data points to slower-than-expected progress. The commission noted that the anticipated benefits of 5G have yet to translate into widespread user experience, raising concerns about delays in meeting rollout milestones.
The analysis further showed that the access gap is not driven by weak demand. Tens of thousands of Nigerians have already invested in 5G-capable smartphones, but network presence remains uneven. In some high-density areas, certain operators provide little or no functional 5G service, while in locations where coverage exists, performance is often inconsistent.
Industry observers attributed the situation to delayed infrastructure investment and uneven regulatory enforcement. Analysts argued that without stronger monitoring and clearer consequences for missed targets, operators may lack sufficient incentive to accelerate 5G deployment.
Limited access to 5G has broader implications for the digital economy. High-speed, low-latency connectivity is critical for advanced services in areas such as financial technology, healthcare delivery, education and smart-city development, all of which depend on reliable network performance.
Beyond Lagos and Abuja, the report highlighted disparities in network quality nationwide. Users in underserved regions experience significantly lower internet speeds, in some cases up to 50 per cent below those recorded in major cities, reinforcing existing digital divides.
Despite the challenges, the data also points to a substantial opportunity. The large number of inactive 5G-ready devices represents latent demand that could support innovation, productivity and economic growth if network rollout accelerates.
The commission concluded that the country’s 5G challenge is no longer centred on user adoption but on network readiness, urging operators to translate licence commitments into tangible service delivery to avoid leaving large numbers of users disconnected from the next phase of digital development.
