Internet users in Nigeria have significantly increased in the month of May with about 103 million Nigerians as active subscribers for data (Internet) services compared to 101 million in April. This is according to the latest NCC report on its website.

The new data showed a marginal increase of about 1.9 million (1,943,223) new active internet subscribers on the Global System for Mobile (GSM) communications with the GSM networks taking the larger portion of the internet subscriber share (99.70%).

And if we are to go by the Nigerian population of 180 million, this means that over 55% of Nigerians have access to the Internet, which if accurate, would spur Internet penetration.

What Could Have Spurred this Increase?

The increased mobile internet appetite in Nigeria comes down to some factors: Poor Infrastructure has made fixed and wireless Internet (DSL, Cable, and Fibre) out of reach for consumers. Since there is access to better, cheaper smartphones, more Nigerians have turned to connecting the Internet via their mobile phones as the number of Internet subscribers is on the increase.

Also, with the evolution of lite mobile apps that require less data, consumers find this cost prohibitive and use the Internet often.

There’s Still More to be Done!

there would be a need for the licensing of more Infrastructure Company (INFRACOs) to lay the foundation for internet penetration and increase broadband services.

And according to reports, the NCC is waiting to approve 3 additional Infracos to boost broadband penetration in the country. Should this be done, there Nigerians would embrace the Internet and it would speed up the country’s progress towards achieving its broadband target of 30 per cent penetration by the end of 2018.