Nigeria’s biggest mobile operator, MTN Nigeria, is strengthening its position in the country’s rural connectivity race — a move that directly supports the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the federal government’s goal of ensuring that no community is left behind in the digital economy.
A new report by the NCC, in partnership with network intelligence firm Ookla, has highlighted steady progress in the country’s mobile broadband landscape, with rural areas showing notable improvements in download speeds. The report, titled “The Great Divide: Urban vs. Rural Speeds,” offers an in-depth look at how Nigerians across different regions experience mobile internet and underscores ongoing efforts to bridge the digital divide.
According to the findings, rural connectivity is catching up faster than expected. Median download speeds in rural communities nearly doubled this year — from 7.5 Mbps in January to 15 Mbps by September 2025. Despite this improvement, the performance gap between urban and rural regions has remained stable, averaging between 5 and 6 Mbps.
The report attributes the progress largely to Nigeria’s 4G LTE infrastructure, which continues to serve as the country’s connectivity backbone. While 5G technology remains concentrated in urban centers, offering impressive speeds between 180 and 220 Mbps, it has yet to deliver significant latency gains or reach wider coverage.
MTN Nigeria has been a major driver of this rural expansion, deploying resources to extend broadband access to underserved areas. The operator’s strategy aligns with the NCC’s national broadband plan, which aims to achieve widespread, affordable, and reliable connectivity across the country.
Industry observers say the data signals a shift in Nigeria’s connectivity focus — from expanding coverage to enhancing quality of experience. More rural users can now stream, browse, and communicate effectively, though challenges remain with upload speeds, which continue to limit activities such as cloud-based work and digital entrepreneurship.
In response, the NCC reaffirmed its commitment to equitable broadband access, citing plans to attract more private sector participation in rural broadband projects and accelerate the country’s transition from 3G to 4G and 5G networks.
The report concludes on a positive note: Nigeria’s connectivity ecosystem is moving in the right direction. With both rural and urban areas showing progress, the country is gradually shaping a more inclusive and connected digital future.
