By Martin Ekpeke
A data-driven public report developed by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in partnership with Ookla, a global leader in network intelligence and performance measurement, has shown that Glo is experiencing national network performance challenges, primarily due to latency and jitter that negatively impact user experience.
The findings are part of the recently released Nigeria Network Performance & 5G Opportunity Analysis, a cornerstone of the NCC’s QoS/QoE Crowdsourcing Project. The report provides a transparent look into the service quality of Nigeria’s major telecommunications providers, highlighting a widening gap between industry leaders and those struggling to modernize their infrastructure.
According to the data, network performance in Nigeria is increasingly polarized, with some operators making significant strides in high-speed delivery while others continue to struggle with consistency. MTN emerged with the strongest national profile by consistently delivering high download and upload throughput alongside stable latency and jitter values.
Airtel maintained a competitive edge in urban download speeds via its 4G network, though the report noted a performance dip as the sector transitions toward 5G and highlighted that latency remains an area for improvement. Analysis of T2 (9mobile) showed variable performance across different regions, and while occasional high-speed peaks were recorded, the data indicates a significant gap in its overall national Quality of Service. Finally, Glo ranked at the bottom for user experience metrics due to persistent issues with latency and jitter, which negatively affect real-time applications like video calls and online payments.
The 5G Coverage Crisis
Beyond individual operator performance, the report identified a “stark divide” in Nigeria’s digital readiness. Despite an increase in 5G-capable devices, actual access to 5G networks remains alarmingly low.
In Nigeria’s two largest tech hubs, the 5G coverage gap is profound:
- Lagos: 70.9% coverage gap
- Abuja: 65.6% coverage gap
Furthermore, rural regions are being left behind. Speeds in underserved areas are up to 50% lower than in urban centers, where infrastructure investment has historically been concentrated.
The partnership between the NCC and Ookla marks a strategic shift toward data-driven regulation. Published quarterly, these reports aim to empower consumers to make informed choices based on unbiased analytics rather than marketing claims.
“This initiative strengthens transparency and drives better service delivery nationwide. By identifying these service gaps, the Commission intends to support evidence-based policy interventions that attract infrastructure investment and ensure reliable connectivity for all Nigerians,” the NCC stated in the report summary
The NCC has advised operators with performance deficits to prioritize investments in network stability, particularly in reducing jitter and latency, to meet the growing demands of Nigeria’s digital economy.