MTN Nigeria delivers region’s top mobile speeds, but users feel the pinch of rapid data depletion

MTN Nigeria has been ranked the fastest mobile network in West and Central Africa by global internet performance intelligence provider, Ookla, based on real-world user tests across the region. Ookla’s Q2 2025 data shows MTN with median download speeds of 95.62 Mbps and upload speeds of 17.01 Mbps, ranking far ahead of regional averages, which often sit under 40 Mbps.

Ookla runs the Speedtest® platform and collects millions of tests from consumers’ devices globally, measuring download speed, upload speed, latency, and other metrics under real-usage conditions. Because the data comes from end-users, it provides an independent benchmark of network performance and is widely used by operators and regulators.

Despite this leap in speed, MTN’s 5G rollout still covers a small slice of the market. According to its 2024 annual report, MTN’s 5G population coverage stood at 12.7%. Ookla data shows 5G service availability (the percentage of network locations offering 5G) rose from 17.2% in Q1 2023 to 35.7% in Q2 2024, which is an improvement but still low compared with developed markets. Meanwhile, regulators say only about 3% of Nigeria’s mobile users (roughly 5 million of 170 + million users) access 5G services as of mid-2025.

So while MTN leads on speed, most users are still operating on 4G or earlier, or in areas without 5G service. This is compounded by device compatibility issues: recent reports found that around 70.9% of 5G-capable devices in Lagos, and 65.6% in Abuja, were unable to connect to 5G networks.

MTN’s speed performance aligns with other signals. The company reported ₦3.7 trillion in revenue in the first nine months of 2025 (up 57.4% year-on-year) and a ₦750 billion profit, reversing the previous-year loss. Active data users rose 12.8% to 51.1 million. “The investments are gradually yielding results. Quite encouraging. Better days ahead!” said CFO Modupe Kadri.

Still, speed alone doesn’t solve all user issues. One popular comment on social media was: “This explains why MTN data dissipates so fast?” The remark points to a common consumer experience: even when networks are faster, higher speeds can lead to higher data consumption (HD video, background downloads), making users feel their data finishes quicker. Kadri’s suggested marketing spin—“the fastest data depletion” narrative—reflects how perception can lag behind technical performance.

Global comparisons illustrate the gap. In top-tier markets with mature 5G service, median download speeds reach 200–300+ Mbps, and 5G availability for users is significantly higher. By contrast, Nigeria’s measurable 5G service remains under 15% of users, meaning many subscribers aren’t yet benefiting from the full experience despite the speed records.

The takeaway for MTN is clear: strong speeds build a technical lead, but expanding coverage, aligning devices, and adapting plans to how users actually use data are the next frontiers. Until then, speed records make headlines—but users will keep watching how often they can access 5G, how long their data lasts, and whether the upgrade feels meaningful in everyday use.