Airtel Nigeria is ramping up its push to deliver next-generation 5G connectivity across the country, even as adoption remains sluggish due to the high cost and limited availability of compatible devices. Chief Executive Officer Dinesh Balsingh, speaking to journalists and industry stakeholders in Lagos yesterday, said the network is already live in Nigeria but has yet to gain strong traction. According to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), three years after its commercial launch, 5G penetration stood at just 3.07% as of June 2025 about 5.27 million users out of 171 million active telephone lines.
In contrast, India, which licensed 5G around the same time in 2022, has already recorded 300 million users within 30 months, thanks largely to the widespread availability of affordable handsets. “5G is here, and operators have invested heavily in its rollout. But the cost and scarcity of devices remain a key hurdle,” Balsingh explained. “We are partnering with smartphone manufacturers to make these devices more accessible and bridge this gap.”
Balsingh revealed Airtel is investing over $120 million in a 38MW data centre in Eko Atlantic, Lagos, scheduled to come online by 2026 to bolster Nigeria’s data capacity and ensure power and security resilience. The company is also accelerating fibre deployment, having relocated over 3,000 kilometres of cable in the last two years to improve network redundancy and minimise downtimes caused by vandalism or roadworks.
With Nigeria’s urban landscape growing both vertically and horizontally, Airtel is adapting its strategy. “This is no longer about traditional tower coverage,” Balsingh said. “We are using AI-driven tools to monitor and improve customer experience in real time, deploying solutions like small cells, underground fibre, and micro-antennas in high-density zones.”
While demand in cities like Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt remains strong, Airtel is also looking to underserved rural areas. Talks are underway with satellite providers Starlink and OneWeb to deliver 4G connectivity to remote communities.
Balsingh commended the Federal Government for designating telecom assets as Critical National Infrastructure (CNI), a move aimed at deterring sabotage and improving network resilience. However, industry challenges persist. NCC data shows active telephone users fell by nearly one million in June, with teledensity slipping to 79.22%. Internet subscriptions also dipped, with analysts blaming a recent 50% tariff hike and perceived service shortfalls.
Despite these hurdles, Airtel is doubling down on its 5G rollout, betting that device affordability, stronger infrastructure, and targeted innovation will unlock Nigeria’s full digital potential.