Nigeria’s Internet Service Provider (ISP) landscape is becoming increasingly concentrated, with Starlink, Spectranet, and FibreOne now accounting for 65% of all active ISP connections. This dominance is emerging even as nationwide demand for broadband rises and many operators exit the market.
Fresh Q2 2025 statistics from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) show a significant shift: although 224 ISPs are licensed, only 133 were active, leaving roughly 40% inactive.
Of the active operators, just three ISPs serve 203,160 of the 313,713 active customers, while the remaining 130 ISPs share 110,553 customers.
Spectranet Maintains Lead but Faces Pressure From Starlink
Spectranet remains the largest ISP by subscriber count, but its customer base is declining. The company recorded 99,520 active users in Q2 2025, down from 103,252 in the previous quarter.
Meanwhile, Starlink continued its rapid ascent, growing from 59,509 customers in Q1 2025 to 66,523 in Q2, bringing it close to overtaking Spectranet.
FibreOne also recovered from earlier losses, climbing back to 37,117 customers and holding third place.
Other ISPs with notable footprints include:
- iPNX – 15,636
- Tizeti – 13,996
- Broadbased Communications – 9,942
- VDT Communications – 5,325
NCC Flags Declining ISP Participation
The NCC has long raised concerns over the persistent drop in active ISPs. Former NCC Executive Vice Chairman, Prof. Umar Danbatta, revealed that by March 2022, 568 licensed ISPs had become inactive.
He linked the mass exit to several challenges:
- Unfair competition in the sector
- Limited spectrum availability
- High bandwidth and operational costs
- Expensive Right of Way (RoW) charges
- Weak internal governance, especially among smaller providers
Industry stakeholders also note that the entry of 5G services from MTN and Airtel has pushed many enterprise clients toward mobile operators offering faster and more flexible connectivity.
Additionally, the rollout of Fibre-to-the-Home (FTTH) by MNOs has intensified pressure on traditional ISPs.
Mobile Operators Still Control Nigeria’s Internet Landscape
Despite having over 130 active ISPs, their combined 313,713 subscribers pale in comparison to the 140.6 million active internet users recorded by MTN, Airtel, Globacom, and 9mobile in Q2 2025.
While ISPs generally serve business and enterprise clients, rising costs are now pushing even corporate users to mobile-based internet solutions, seen as more affordable and easier to deploy.
Experts Warn of Broadband Setback as ISP Numbers Shrink
According to Diseye Isoun, CEO of Content Oasis, Nigeria risks missing its 70% broadband penetration target under the National Broadband Plan (NBP 2020–2025) due to the weakening ISP ecosystem.
He emphasized that ISPs play essential roles in connecting schools, hospitals, and local businesses, yet lack the policy support needed to thrive.
Isoun recommends adopting a hybrid model similar to Brazil’s Telebras, where the government partners with ISPs to deliver subsidized internet to critical institutions.
“You can’t solve a university’s connectivity problems with mobile internet alone,” he noted. “Reliable infrastructure and guaranteed service levels are non-negotiable.”
Industry Voices Push for Government Support
VDT Communications CEO, David Omoniyi, stressed that most ISPs are indigenous SMEs, and many are on the brink of extinction.
“Hundreds of ISPs have been licensed, but only a handful remain functional. They need support to survive,” he said.
He urged the government to provide financial and regulatory assistance, adding that the success of Nigeria’s broadband plan hinges on every stakeholder, including last-mile ISPs.
