Four years after mobile operators rolled out 5G with grand promises of a telecom revolution, the next-generation network holds just 4.2 percent of Nigeria’s market share as of March 2026. Meanwhile, the older stalwarts—2G and 4G—continue to dominate, with 4G leading at 53.76 percent and 2G holding steady at 36.74 percent. The data, released by the Nigerian Communications Commission and reviewed by THISDAY, shows that most subscribers still rely on earlier technologies.
When MTN Nigeria launched 5G commercially in September 2022, CEO Karl Toriola pledged to bring the high-speed service to six cities, including Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Kano, promising “much faster speeds and lower latency” that would make downloads take seconds. Airtel Nigeria followed in June 2023, with CEO Carl Cruz vowing nationwide coverage by the end of that year, calling 5G “a quantum leap” enabling video creation with artificial intelligence. Yet today, 5G remains confined to a few pockets in select states.
NCC Executive Vice Chairman Dr. Aminu Maida attributes the sluggish uptake to two main hurdles: the high cost of 5G equipment, priced in dollars, and a shortage of 5G-enabled phones in the market. Monthly statistics paint a clear picture of the slow climb. In June 2025, 5G held just 3.07 percent, while 4G stood at 50.8 percent and 2G at 38.47 percent. By March 2026, 5G had inched up to 4.2 percent, while 4G grew to 53.76 percent, and 2G eased to 36.74 percent. 3G, meanwhile, faded to 5.3 percent.
The numbers tell a story of a technology still waiting for its moment, as Nigerians continue to find value in the networks that have served them for years.
