NCC telecom network congestion worsens in Lagos and Abuja as high user density overstretches capacity, prompting calls for more 5G investment

NCC telecom network congestion has been blamed for the persistent poor quality of telecom services across Lagos, Abuja, and other major Nigerian cities, according to a new report released by the Nigerian Communications Commission.

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The Commission attributed the issue to overstretched network capacity driven by heavy usage in high-density urban areas.

The findings, contained in a nationwide study conducted in partnership with broadband analytics firm Ookla, highlight the strain on existing infrastructure caused by surging data demand.

According to the NCC, internet activity in Nigeria’s major cities has far outpaced available capacity, leading to slow downloads, dropped calls, failed mobile payments, and video buffering.

“Overall, network capacity for data services across the country appears good. However, capacity issues have been observed in urban areas across all major operators’ networks,” the Commission stated.

The regulator noted that while rural areas experience minimal impact, congestion in city centres — where user density is highest — has become severe, particularly during peak hours.

It described the situation as a localised problem tied to high-density zones, rather than a nationwide network failure.

To address the growing NCC telecom network congestion, the Commission urged service providers to increase investments in infrastructure and technology upgrades.

It specifically recommended an accelerated rollout of 5G technology and optimisation of existing 4G (LTE) capacity to enhance user experience.

Despite the national data showing a generally stable performance, the NCC emphasised that only targeted infrastructure expansion in urban hubs can ensure consistent service quality for millions of users.

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As Nigeria’s data consumption continues to soar, the Commission’s report serves as a powerful reminder of the urgent need to modernise and expand network capacity in the country’s busiest cities.