54.3% of Nigeria's population — about 128.3 million people — are still unconnected, placing the country fourth in the world

Key takeaways:

  • India tops the list with 651.6 million people offline — almost five times Nigeria’s number, but a smaller percentage (44.7%) of its population.
  • China has 311.9 million unconnected people, but that’s only 22% of its population.
  • With 78.7% of its population offline (105.2M people), Ethiopia has the lowest internet penetration among the top countries listed.
  • Bangladesh, Nigeria, and Pakistan all have over 50% of their populations unconnected.
  • Despite their smaller populations, over 70% of people in both Tanzania and Uganda remain offline.
  • While Nigeria is a regional tech hub, it still has over 128 million people offline, pointing to a major disconnect between urban tech growth and rural internet access.

Despite being Africa's largest economy, Nigeria has 128.3 million people unconnected to the internet as of January 2025 — over 54% of the population. This ranks Nigeria 4th globally among countries with the highest number of unconnected individuals. The digital gap is no longer a future concern; it’s a present reality that affects how millions access education, health, jobs, and basic information.

Source:

Digital 2025 Global Overview Report

Period:

2025
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At 18.91mb/sec, Nigeria ranks 102nd among 111 countries, making it the tenth among countries with the worst mobile download speed
  • With a median mobile download speed of 441.89 Mbps, the UAE is in a league of its own, setting a high benchmark for digital infrastructure globally.
  • At just 18.91 Mbps, Nigeria ranks 102nd, only narrowly ahead of countries like Ecuador and Libya. This means the digital experience for most Nigerians is significantly slower than the global average.
  • The difference between the fastest and slowest countries spans over 400 Mbps, showing a growing divide in how nations can participate in digital economies.
  • Countries like Denmark, South Korea, Norway, and the Netherlands continue to show strong mobile connection.
  • It's notable that Qatar and Kuwait, alongside the UAE, are not just energy-rich but also leaders in mobile connectivity.
  • Several African nations, Nigeria, Libya, and Mozambique, feature among the slowest, highlighting the urgent need for investment in faster, more reliable mobile networks across the continent.

Eastern Africa has the least internet adoption worldwide with just 29% adoption rate
  • With a 98% adoption rate, Northern Europe leads the world in digital inclusion.
  • Eastern Africa (29%), Middle Africa (34%), and Western Africa (43%) have the lowest adoption rates.
  • Southern and Eastern Europe boast over 90% adoption, proving that even outside the wealthiest nations, high connectivity is achievable.
  • While Eastern Asia (79%) and South-Eastern Asia (78%) show strong progress, Southern Asia lags behind at 54%.
  • Oceania maintains a solid 78% adoption rate, quietly outperforming many regions.
  • With 70% adoption, the Caribbean outperforms parts of Asia and Africa.

From 4.3M to 5.6B, the number of individuals using the internet globally since the creation of the first website has risen by over 130,000%
  • Between 1995 and 2000, internet users jumped from 39.4 million to 394 million, a 900% leap that marked the beginning of the digital era.
  • Just 14 years after the first website, over 1 billion people were online, showing how quickly the internet became essential.
  • Between 2010 and 2015, internet usage grew by 54.5%, slower than before but still powerful, especially in developing regions coming online.
  • With 5.6 billion users in January 2025, most of the world is now online, and future growth will be more about improving access, speed, and quality than just connecting new people.
  • Each phase had its catalyst. In the 1990s, it was websites and email. The 2000s brought broadband and Google. In the 2010s, it was smartphones. Now, it's AI, 5G, and IoT that are quietly shaping the future of internet use.

An impressive 93% of internet users worldwide engage with social media
  • Social media is not optional; it’s universal, with 93% usage globally.
  • Traditional broadcast TV still sees 89.7% usage, and streaming TV (77.1%) isn’t far behind.
  • Individuals consume online news more than physical newspapers.
  • 66.4% still tune in to radio, showing that audio content still has a loyal base.
  • At 65.3% usage, platforms like Spotify and Apple Music are not just for entertainment; they’re part of people’s routines.
  • With 63.7% global engagement, podcasts are now a core part of modern media usage.

Instant messaging is the most pervasive activity among mobile internet users
  • Instant messaging leads with 94% usage, reflecting its role as the primary communication tool for Nigerians.
  • Social media is used by 91% of mobile internet users, but only 65% engage with it for business purposes, showing its dominance in personal interactions.
  • Online voice and video calls are highly popular, emphasising a shift toward real-time digital communication.
  • Only 45% access government services, while 41% use online health platforms, indicating gaps in essential digital services.
  • Agriculture-related internet use is the lowest at 25%, highlighting the rural digital divide and limited online resources for the sector.

86% of Nigerians aged 10+ in Nigeria’s North West lack Internet access
Nigerians aged 10 years and above in the South-South region have three times more access to the internet (42%) compared to those in the North-West (14%).

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