Two years after its launch by MTN Nigeria, 5G mobile subscriptions in Nigeria have reached 4.05 million, a significant milestone despite facing numerous challenges. This growth comes amidst a broader recovery of the mobile market, which saw total subscriptions rebound to 164.65 million following a drastic decline caused by a Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) audit that exposed a significant overstatement of subscribers by Globacom.
While 5G offers the promise of blazing-fast internet speeds and transformative technological advancements, its impact in Nigeria has been gradual. “5G will change everything,” enthused Karl Toriola, CEO of MTNN, emphasising its potential to revolutionise how we connect and interact. However, the reality on the ground is more nuanced.
The GSMA, the global body for mobile operators, predicts that 5G adoption will contribute a substantial $10 billion to the economies of Nigeria and other Sub-Saharan African countries by 2030. However, challenges remain.
“Nigeria is still grappling with 5G,” acknowledged Ubale Maska, Executive Commissioner of Technical Standards at the NCC. He highlighted the limited geographical reach of the network, currently available in less than 30 cities. “4G LTE has not even covered the entire country,” he further emphasised, underscoring the need for a more robust and widespread 4G infrastructure before widespread 5G adoption can become a reality.
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Minister of Communications, Innovations, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, echoed these concerns, emphasising the crucial role of robust infrastructure in driving 5G growth. “The infrastructure that drives 5G is not something that is across the nation,” he stated, acknowledging the significant gap that needs to be bridged.
Despite these challenges, 5G holds immense potential for Nigeria. However, analysts do not expect its dominance to materialise anytime soon. According to Ericsson’s latest mobility report, 4G will likely remain the dominant mobile technology in Nigeria and across Africa until at least 2028.”In the pursuit of modernisation and enhanced connectivity, subscribers are constantly migrating toward 4G networks,” the report noted.
Moving forward, a concerted effort from the government, telecom operators, and infrastructure providers will be crucial to accelerate 5G deployment and unlock its full potential. This includes investing in robust fibre optic networks, expanding coverage to underserved areas, and fostering a conducive regulatory environment for innovation.
