70% of Lagos Phones Can’t Access 5G Despite Device Readiness, NCC Report Finds
According to the Nigeria Network Performance & 5G Opportunity Analysis report, conducted by Ookla in partnership with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), about 70.9% of 5G-capable devices in Lagos and 65.6% in Abuja are unable to connect to any 5G network.
A new industry report has revealed that Nigeria’s 5G rollout remains far behind device readiness, exposing a deep gap between user potential and network availability in the country’s largest cities.
According to the Nigeria Network Performance & 5G Opportunity Analysis report, conducted by Ookla in partnership with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC ), about 70.9% of 5G-capable devices in Lagos and 65.6% in Abuja are unable to connect to any 5G network. The study, which analyzed nationwide network performance, found that while Nigerians are rapidly adopting 5G-ready smartphones, the infrastructure to support those devices is still lagging far behind.
The analysis paints a picture of two Nigerias — one urban and connected, the other rural and left behind. Lagos and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) lead the country in network performance, scoring 40–50% above the national average, while most rural areas remain dependent on older 2G and 3G networks. “This imbalance continues to limit digital inclusion and economic opportunity outside the major cities,” the report noted.
In terms of operators, MTN Nigeria emerged as the clear performance leader, consistently delivering the highest download and upload speeds alongside strong latency and jitter results. Airtel followed closely in download performance but still struggles with latency. Glo and 9mobile lagged behind, with the latter registering the lowest overall quality of service due to slow 4G rollout and network stability issues.
The NCC, in response, reaffirmed its commitment to “driving modernization and equitable access,” pledging to accelerate 4G and 5G expansion, especially in underserved regions. The regulator emphasized that improving latency, reducing jitter, and extending next-generation coverage are crucial to bridging the country’s growing digital divide.
Industry experts see this as both a warning and an opportunity: with tens of thousands of 5G-ready devices already active in the market, the first operators to close the coverage gap could gain a decisive lead in Nigeria’s next phase of telecom competition.
