Nigeria’s 5G network is facing growing consumer dissatisfaction as download speeds have fallen sharply while adoption remains low, according to data from Ookla Speedtest Intelligence.
The data showed that median 5G download speeds in Nigeria dropped from 329 Mbps when the technology launched in 2022 to 155 Mbps in 2026, representing a decline of more than half.
At the same time, 5G connections accounted for only 4.6 per cent of mobile connections in the country, despite continued investment by operators to expand coverage.
According to Ookla, consumer rating scores for internet service providers fell from 3.4 in 2022 to 3.0 in 2026, and consumer satisfaction declined as well.
The Net Promoter Score, which measures customers’ willingness to recommend their service provider, also deteriorated from -15.6 to as low as -34.3 during the period.
Ookla attributed the decline partly to growing customer frustration as mobile tariffs increased.
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Nigeria approved a 50 per cent increase in mobile tariffs in early 2025, adding to concerns over the affordability of mobile data and 5G-enabled devices.
Despite the expansion of 5G infrastructure, many subscribers with compatible smartphones continue to rely on 4G services because of the cost of 5G devices and data.
Operators have expanded 5G coverage considerably. Data cited in the report showed that 5G was detected in 28.9 per cent of scanned locations in 2026, up from 11.3 per cent in 2023.
However, the report noted that the network remained largely underutilised, with affordability identified as one of the factors limiting wider adoption.
There are also significant differences in network performance between urban and rural areas.
Urban users recorded download speeds ranging from 17 Mbps to 24 Mbps, while rural users experienced speeds of between 14 Mbps and 21 Mbps.
Upload speeds also showed a gap between urban and rural locations, highlighting differences in access to high-quality connectivity.
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Despite the challenges affecting 5G, Nigeria’s overall mobile internet performance has improved. Median mobile download speeds increased from 18.94 Mbps in 2022 to 26.22 Mbps in 2026.
The improvement places Nigeria ahead of several East and Central African countries in overall median mobile speeds.
However, the data shows that stronger overall mobile performance has not translated into higher satisfaction among subscribers, particularly as consumers contend with rising costs.
Nigeria’s mobile market is gradually moving away from older 2G and 3G technologies, while 4G remains the dominant network and 5G continues to expand.
The figures suggest that affordability, coverage and network performance will remain key factors in determining how quickly Nigerians adopt 5G and whether consumers see sufficient value in upgrading from existing mobile services.
About the Author
Cecilia Attah is a tech analyst with a degree from Benue State University. She covers tech news and startups at TechRegard with a focus on how technology is transforming Africa and shaping the global landscape.
