MTN Nigeria is riding a wave of unprecedented data revenue growth, fueled by a nationwide digital shift that’s transforming how Nigerians communicate, work, and live. In its latest financial disclosures, the telecom giant reported a staggering 85.6% year-on-year surge in data earnings, crossing the N700 billion mark in Q2 2025, its highest quarterly gain to date.
Behind the numbers lies a major shift in consumer behavior. For millions of Nigerians, data is no longer optional; it’s essential. From remote work and online education to TikTok reels and mobile payments, mobile internet is now embedded in daily life.
As MTN’s data revenue growth continues to accelerate, rival Airtel Nigeria isn’t far behind, reporting a 60.3% spike in its data earnings for the same period. Together, the two telcos pulled in over N960 billion in just three months from mobile internet services.
Nigerians Prioritise Data Over Daily Necessities
Despite rising inflation and economic hardship, many Nigerians now consider data a non-negotiable necessity, even ahead of food in some cases. It’s not just about streaming and scrolling. Data now powers small businesses, job hunts, banking, and virtual meetings.
“I can skip lunch, but I won’t skip data,” says Lagos-based freelancer Sola Adeyemi. “Without it, I can’t work or connect.”
This consumer reality explains why telecom operators continue to break records even amid economic strain. In May 2025, Nigeria hit an all-time high in monthly data consumption at 1.04 million terabytes, according to figures from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
Digital Habits Are Changing Fast
MTN reported a 41.2% increase in total data traffic on its network, with the average user now consuming 13.2GB per month, a 26.3% rise from last year. Airtel also recorded similar trends, with average smartphone usage reaching 11.8GB monthly.
The surge is being driven by:
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Short-form video apps like TikTok and Instagram Reels
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Increased mobile gaming and livestreaming
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Remote work and e-learning tools like Zoom and Google Meet
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Rising smartphone penetration, now over 51% in Nigeria
For content creators, gig workers, and remote professionals, data access is critical. “Everything I do is online,” says 28-year-old video editor Abraham Aduloju. “I burn through 30GB a week.”
MTN’s Investment Push Fuels Revenue Climb
This explosive MTN data revenue growth hasn’t come without a cost. In the first half of 2025, the company invested over N565 billion to expand its network, a 288.4% increase from the previous year. The funding went into:
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240 new 4G sites
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Expansion of fiber-to-home services
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The launch of the Tier III Dabengwa Data Centre
These aggressive infrastructure moves are designed to support growing traffic and improve service reliability across the country’s 84 million MTN subscribers.
Airtel Nigeria is also scaling up its investments. In Q2 2025, the company committed $39 million to infrastructure, with plans to double its capital investment by year-end. The focus is on expanding 5G, improving rural connectivity, and boosting data center capacity.
Fintech Gains Add New Layer of Growth
Beyond mobile internet, MTN’s financial technology division is also posting record numbers. Fintech revenue jumped 84.2% in Q2 2025 to N47.1 billion, driven by services like airtime lending and wallet usage.
Despite a slight drop in active wallet users earlier in the year, Q2 saw a rebound with over 560,000 new digital wallets opened, signaling renewed momentum in the sector.
According to CEO Karl Toriola, the company is committed to diversifying its revenue base and turning fintech into a long-term growth engine.
Telecom Sector Entering a New Phase
Experts believe that the Nigerian telecom sector is entering a critical expansion phase. The over N824 billion invested by MTN and Airtel combined in H1 2025 marks one of the largest telecom infrastructure pushes in recent memory.
“With these levels of investment, we should begin to see a clear improvement in network quality by 2026,” said telecom analyst Ike Ibeabuchi.
But with rising demand comes higher expectations. Industry leaders say that maintaining service quality, affordability, and coverage, especially in rural areas, will be the next challenge as data becomes a basic human need for many Nigerians.
Final Thoughts
The story of MTN data revenue growth is more than just profits and percentages. It reflects a nation undergoing rapid digital transformation. For millions of Nigerians, mobile data isn’t a luxury; it’s the gateway to work, education, and connection in a connected world.
As long as telcos continue to invest and innovate, data will remain at the heart of Nigeria’s digital future.
