Find Telecommunication expertise in Nigeria

According to the Global Competitiveness Report, 2011-2012, there are 7 main telephone lines per 1,000 people, and 551 mobile phone subscriptions per 1,000 people in Nigeria. There are 284 internet users per 1,000 people (2010). 

This is in contrast to figures relating to the early years of the millennium. According to the World Bank, in 2000 there were 4 telephone lines per 1,000 people, zero mobile phone subscriptions per 1,000 people and ten internet users per 1,000 people. Telecommunications revenue (% of GDP) grew from 0.8 in 2000 to 3.4 in 2009.

According to the World Bank, 38% of Nigeria’s population was covered by the mobile phone network in 2000; in 2009 the figure was 83%, compared to 56% in the sub-Saharan African region as a whole. Evidence from independent surveys suggests that among the younger generation of Nigerians at least, mobile phones are used more than desktop or laptop computers to access the internet.

Total direct employment related to the mobile sector in Nigeria in 2008 was about 8,000 ((Pyramid Research). Total indirect employment was estimated at more than 3 million (Pyramid Research).

Numerous companies in Nigeria, such as GNT (indigenous) and New Horizons (international) offer ICT training for corporate, private and government purposes. The 2004 National Policy on Education committed the government to the provision of basic ICT infrastructure and training in primary schools. 

The Nigerian Communications Commission, established in 1992, is the national regulatory authority for telecommunications.

The state-owned Nigerian Telecommunication (NITEL) was the only operator in the telecommunications industry before 2001. In 2000 a new policy was introduced which began the total liberalisation of the industry, and in 2001 the global system for mobile communication (GSM) unified licence was issued. GSM technology remains dominant in the mobile market, and prepaid mobile services remain the most popular.

Factors which have driven the increase in mobile subscriptions in Nigeria include intense competition between the different companies, cheap handsets and the rapid growth of mobile networks to different areas of the country. 

Plans to privatise NITEL and its mobile arm M-TEL Nigeria Ltd. commenced in 2002. In 2012 the federal government declared its intention to liquidate NITEL and M-TEL.

Leading providers of mobile phone services include MTN, Glo Mobile and Zain. Major internet service providers include Accelon, CobraNet, iWay Africa, Netcom Africa, Nova, Nigeria Net and Swift Networks. Landline service providers include 21st Century Technologies and Monacom.