Nigeria’s telecom sector has undergone a notable shift, as revealed in the latest statistical indicators released by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), reflecting adjustments aligned with international best practices and updated population figures.
According to a statement issued by the regulator, signed by Reuben Muoka, its Director, Public Affairs, the adjustments, incorporated into the telecom industry statistical reports spanning September to November 2023, were based on the Nigerian Population Commission’s (NPC) projection of Nigeria’s population, now estimated at 216,783,381 as of 2022, superseding the previous 2017 projection of 190 million.
With the recalibration to align with International Telecommunication Union (ITU) standards, Nigeria’s teledensity experienced a decline from 115.63% to 102.30% in September. Concurrently, broadband penetration witnessed a similar dip from 45.47% to 40.85% in the same period. However, active voice subscriptions exhibited marginal growth, inching from 220,361,186 to 221,769,883 by September 2023, while internet subscriptions also saw a slight uptick from 159,034,717 in August to 160,171,757 in September 2023.
October 2023 saw a 0.19% rise in active voice subscriptions, with teledensity at 102.49% and internet subscriptions increasing by 0.60% compared to the previous month. November of the same year witnessed a further 0.46% growth in active voice subscriptions, with teledensity at 102.97% and a 0.57% surge in internet subscriptions compared to October 2023.
Teledensity serves as a key index prescribed by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) for measuring telephone penetration within a population, denoted by one line per 100 individuals.
The NCC’s adjustment aligns with Section 89 Subsection 3(d) of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003 (NCA 2003), mandating the Commission to monitor, report, and provide statistical analysis on the telecommunications industry. Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, affirmed the adjustments as a pivotal step towards maintaining data integrity and aiding the accurate measurement of progress in broadband penetration, service quality improvement, and population coverage.
These data not only inform international bodies like the ITU but also serve as valuable insights for operators, investors, multilateral agencies, and the public, shaping the trajectory of Nigeria’s telecom landscape amidst evolving industry dynamics.
