NCC Publishes Q4 2025 Network Performance Report, Records Improved Service Quality, $1bn Investment

NCC Publishes Q4 2025 Network Performance Report, Records Improved Service Quality, $1bn Investment

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has released its Q4 2025 Network Performance Report, reporting measurable improvements in service quality across the country and over $1 billion in industry investment within the year.

The report was formally presented at a media engagement and luncheon, where the Executive Vice-Chairman (EVC) of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, said the quarterly assessment underscores the Commission’s commitment to transparency, data-driven regulation, and the continuous enhancement of Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.

According to Dr. Maida, the initiative is designed to strengthen accountability in the telecommunications sector while improving the quality of experience for consumers nationwide.

“The engagement reflects our commitment to transparent, data-driven regulation and the continuous improvement of Nigeria’s digital ecosystem,” he said. “Through our collaboration with Ookla, we are providing independent insights into real-world network performance and the lived experience of Nigerians across cities, rural communities, highways, and emerging 5G zones.”

He explained that the Q4 2025 report enables the Commission to track progress, identify performance gaps, and guide targeted regulatory interventions. These include spectrum optimisation, infrastructure upgrades, quality-of-service enforcement, and the expansion of connectivity to underserved rural areas.

Dr. Maida noted that the latest data indicates steady improvements in network performance compared to Q3 2025, particularly in median download speeds across both urban and rural locations.

“Notably, the video Quality of Experience gap between urban and rural areas has narrowed, and the strength of our 4G backbone continues to improve,” he said.

While acknowledging ongoing challenges such as disparities in upload speeds and uneven 5G coverage, the EVC assured stakeholders that the NCC is actively engaging network operators to address service gaps and coverage shortfalls.

On industry investment, Dr. Maida disclosed that telecommunications operators invested over $1 billion in 2025, leading to the deployment of more than 2,850 new network sites nationwide.

“Much of the progress reflected in today’s report is a direct outcome of these investments,” he said, adding that operators have already committed to exceeding their 2025 investment levels in 2026.

He expressed optimism that sustained collaboration between the regulator and industry players would result in improved connectivity, higher service quality, and a more inclusive digital future for Nigerians.

Dr. Maida further emphasized that transparency remains a core principle of the NCC’s regulatory approach, noting that open access to information strengthens the sector, builds public trust, and reinforces operator accountability.

He recalled that the Commission, in partnership with Ookla, developed nationwide Network Coverage Maps to help consumers objectively compare network quality across locations and operators. The collaboration also produced the Quarterly Network Performance Reports, which began with the Q3 2025 edition published in October 2025.

“Our objective is straightforward: to share key insights, highlight industry performance, and provide clarity on trends that matter to both consumers and stakeholders,” he said.

Also speaking at the event, the Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, Engr. Abraham Oshadami, described the engagement as vital to building a healthy and sustainable telecommunications sector, commending the media for its role in informing the public and shaping national discourse.

“The work you do—informing the public, shaping narratives, and guiding national conversations—is critical to the health and sustainability of the telecommunications sector,” Oshadami said.

Similarly, the Head of Public Affairs at the NCC, Mrs. Nnenna Ukoha, reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to accountability, transparency, and the dissemination of accurate and well-interpreted data.

“We have a responsibility to ensure that this data is properly understood and correctly communicated to the Nigerian public. In this effort, our media partners are indispensable,” she said.

Mrs. Ukoha explained that the session was designed to equip journalists with both the data and its context, enabling accurate reporting and reducing the risk of misinterpretation. She urged the media to adopt constructive framing that balances challenges with progress, investments, innovation, and improvements in quality of service.

“Your reporting shapes investor confidence, consumer trust, and policy direction. It influences how Nigerians understand the technologies that power their daily lives,” she added.

The NCC noted that its quarterly performance reports provide valuable material for daily news coverage, feature stories, investigative reporting, and sector analysis. As it presented the Q4 2025 report, the Commission reaffirmed its openness to collaboration, responsible journalism, and continued engagement aimed at accurately reflecting the realities, achievements, challenges, and future outlook of Nigeria’s telecommunications industry.