From Spectrum to Speed: NCC’s Tough Oversight Redefines Connectivity Standards Nationwide

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has released a comprehensive Network Performance and 5G Reality Report, revealing significant gaps between device readiness and actual network availability across Nigeria, particularly in Lagos and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The report, powered by Ookla Advanced Analytics Services (AAS), provides an in-depth assessment of national coverage gaps, infrastructure performance trends, and the true state of 5G deployment in the country. Findings show that while consumer adoption of 5G-capable devices is accelerating, network infrastructure has not kept pace, leaving a majority of users unable to access next-generation connectivity.

Device Readiness Outpaces Infrastructure

According to the NCC, effective 5G coverage remains limited despite growing public expectations. In Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial hub, only about 27 per cent of 5G-capable devices are able to successfully connect to 5G networks. Abuja performs slightly better at 31 per cent, yet still leaves nearly half of potential 5G connections unrealised.

The Commission noted that performance varies significantly by operator. While the market leader has managed to keep its 5G coverage gap around 50 per cent, other major operators record gaps ranging from 83 to as high as 99 per cent in critical urban locations. As a result, many Nigerians carrying 5G-enabled devices are effectively constrained to 4G services.

National Performance Landscape

The report’s national performance analysis shows clear disparities between urban and rural connectivity. Urban centres consistently outperform rural areas by 30 to 40 per cent across key metrics such as download speed, upload speed, and latency.

Across operators, MTN emerges as the national benchmark, leading in overall throughput and latency stability, and setting the pace for 5G rollout. Airtel maintains a relatively balanced performance profile but trails in real-time readiness indicators such as latency and jitter. T2 shows pockets of strength in throughput but lacks nationwide consistency, while Glo provides broad access but continues to lag in stability and performance reliability.

Latency figures further highlight the quality gap, with rural areas experiencing significantly higher response times, particularly on legacy networks that still depend heavily on 2G and 3G technologies.

Lagos: The “Phantom 5G” Challenge

In Lagos, the report identifies what it describes as a “phantom signal” phenomenon. The average 5G coverage gap in the state stands at 55.4 per cent, meaning that more than half the time, a 5G phone is unable to access a 5G network.

Alarmingly, 499 locations across the city have been classified as “critical zones,” where coverage gaps exceed 70 per cent. Many of these areas are high-density commercial and business districts where demand for high-speed connectivity is strongest. Operator-level analysis shows MTN recording an average gap of about 50 per cent, while Airtel’s gap rises to approximately 77 per cent in Lagos.

Abuja: Slightly Better, Still Constrained

In the Federal Capital Territory, the situation shows modest improvement but remains far from optimal. Abuja records an average 5G gap of 47.4 per cent, meaning nearly half of potential 5G connections still fail. Effective coverage remains limited, with just 31 per cent of 5G-capable devices successfully connecting to live 5G networks.

Deployment imbalances persist among operators, with MTN posting a gap of roughly 49 per cent, while Airtel’s gap in the capital is estimated at 83 per cent, underscoring uneven rollout strategies even within priority locations.

The Urban–Rural Divide

The NCC report underscores a widening digital divide between urban and rural Nigeria. States such as Lagos, FCT, and Rivers consistently outperform rural northern states in both speed and responsiveness. Rural performance averages are significantly depressed by continued reliance on 2G and 3G networks, which weigh down national performance indicators.

The Commission observed that recent investments in network upgrades have been heavily concentrated in high-density urban areas, with limited spillover into underserved and rural communities.

The Road Ahead

Looking forward, the NCC called on industry players to move beyond symbolic 5G launches and focus on usability and consistency. The Commission emphasised the need to optimise existing 5G sites in Lagos and Abuja to close the current 55 per cent coverage gap, noting that simply “turning on” 5G is insufficient if users cannot reliably access it.

For rural and underserved regions, the report advocates targeted investments to address the 40 per cent regional performance divide and ensure more equitable digital access nationwide.

On the regulatory front, the NCC signalled the urgency of accelerating the phase-out of legacy 2G and 3G technologies to free up spectrum for modern 4G and 5G services. The Commission also indicated a shift in regulatory focus towards latency, jitter, and network stability, stressing that these factors now play a greater role in user satisfaction than peak download speeds alone.

The NCC reaffirmed its commitment to evidence-based regulation, using advanced analytics to guide policy decisions and ensure that Nigeria’s digital infrastructure supports economic growth, innovation, and inclusive connectivity in the years ahead.