By Atoyebi Nike
Airtel Nigeria has announced fresh investments to accelerate its 5G network rollout across the country, as part of efforts to meet Nigeria’s fast-growing demand for mobile data.
Speaking during a media roundtable in Lagos, Airtel CEO Dinesh Balsingh said the company is expanding infrastructure and working with device manufacturers to make 5G smartphones more affordable for Nigerians.
“Cities like Lagos are growing fast. At Airtel, we recognize data is the new oxygen,” Balsingh said. “We’re building a smart, scalable network that can support Nigeria’s digital future.”
While three telecoms MTN, Mafab, and Airtel hold 5G licenses, overall adoption remains low at just 3.07% as of June 2025, according to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
Balsingh said Airtel aims to change this with more aggressive rollout in coming months. However, he noted that device affordability remains a key challenge. “5G is not just about the network. Without access to 5G-enabled phones, usage will stay limited,” he said.
He also revealed that Airtel currently has near-total 4G coverage across Nigeria, though NCC data shows 4G penetration lags at 50.80%, largely due to high device costs.
As of June 2025, 38.47% of Nigerian mobile users were still connected on 2G, highlighting the impact of smartphone affordability on adoption rates. Industry analysts say ongoing partnerships between telecoms and device makers, along with device financing options, may help drive growth in both 4G and 5G usage.
