Urban Nigerians enjoy 40% faster internet than rural areas — NCC
According to a recent assessment by the Nigerian Communications Commission, urban inhabitants in Nigeria have faster internet than rural users, despite modest gains in nationwide connection.
The study used geospatial mapping to examine 377,135 network tests.
It discovered that the average download speed in metropolitan regions is 20.5 megabits per second, while in rural areas it is 11 Mbps, a difference of around 40%.
Users in urban areas had upload speeds of 10.5 Mbps, while those in rural areas recorded 6.1 Mbps.
The NCC stated that increased latency in rural areas still affects real-time services like voice and video conversations, even though rural speeds have improved from 8.5 Mbps earlier this year.
The study used geospatial mapping to examine 377,135 network tests.
It discovered that the average download speed in metropolitan regions is 20.5 megabits per second, while in rural areas it is 11 Mbps, a difference of around 40%.
Users in urban areas had upload speeds of 10.5 Mbps, while those in rural areas recorded 6.1 Mbps.
The NCC stated that increased latency in rural areas still affects real-time services like voice and video conversations, even though rural speeds have improved from 8.5 Mbps earlier this year.
According to NCC, urban regions make up 96.7% of all network activity yet only 5.2% of Nigeria's landmass.
"Slower speeds and much sparser usage are experienced in rural communities, which comprise over 93% of the nation."
The study also emphasised that network operator selection can occasionally be more important than geographic location.
"MTN's average rural download speed of 15.8 Mbps was found to outperform Glo's average urban speed of 9.5 Mbps, showing uneven performance across operators," the statement read.
"Digital corridors" with better network coverage were found to be major roadways, particularly the Lagos–Abuja corridor.
"Slower speeds and much sparser usage are experienced in rural communities, which comprise over 93% of the nation."
The study also emphasised that network operator selection can occasionally be more important than geographic location.
"MTN's average rural download speed of 15.8 Mbps was found to outperform Glo's average urban speed of 9.5 Mbps, showing uneven performance across operators," the statement read.
"Digital corridors" with better network coverage were found to be major roadways, particularly the Lagos–Abuja corridor.
“Rural towns along these routes often enjoy better connectivity than remote interior villages, reflecting how road and network infrastructure grow together.”
On technology trends, the report noted that “4G LTE remains Nigeria’s broadband backbone, delivering speeds of 10–20 Mbps in rural areas, while 5G networks, where available, offer speeds of up to 220 Mbps but are still largely confined to dense urban centres.
MTN and Airtel were the operators who performed the most consistently across the country. While Glo maintained baseline connection of 9.5 Mbps in both urban and rural areas, T2 achieved the greatest median rural speed at 24.9 Mbps in certain places.
According to the NCC, in order to enable digital education, e-government, and remote employment, specific rural infrastructure upgrades, increased upload capacity, and stricter quality-of-service standards are necessary to close the ongoing urban-rural divide.
The regulator continued, "Improving network quality outside of cities is a key to ensuring all Nigerians benefit from digital services."
According to the NCC, in order to enable digital education, e-government, and remote employment, specific rural infrastructure upgrades, increased upload capacity, and stricter quality-of-service standards are necessary to close the ongoing urban-rural divide.
The regulator continued, "Improving network quality outside of cities is a key to ensuring all Nigerians benefit from digital services."
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