Nigeria Internet Users
Individuals using the Internet IT.NET.USER.ZS
Nigeria's internet users was 44.74% in 2025, ranked 157th globally. This represents a 14.1% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1990–2025.
Overview
Nigeria's internet users stood at 44.74% in 2025, a rise of +5.52% from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 44.74% by 2025. Nigeria ranked 157th globally.
Nigeria’s share of internet users rose from 0.00 percent in 1990 to 44.74 percent in 2025, marking the country’s all‑time peak after three decades of expansion and placing it 157th globally. The increase reflects gradual infrastructure development, mobile broadband diffusion and policy reforms that have lowered access costs, yet the level remains modest compared with regional peers such as Cameroon (45.21 percent) and Mauritania (43.41 percent). The early years saw virtually no online connectivity, a trough that persisted until the early 2000s when mobile networks began to proliferate. Despite steady growth, the gap with higher‑ranking West African economies suggests that further investment in fiber‑optic networks, affordable data packages and digital literacy programs will be crucial to sustain the upward trajectory and move Nigeria closer to the regional average in the coming years.
Data & projection
| Year | Internet Users | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 47.22% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 44.74% | - | - |
| 2025 | 44.74% | +5.52% | #157 |
| 2023 | 39.21% | +1.52% | #152 |
| 2022 | 37.70% | +2.19% | #154 |
| 2021 | 35.51% | +3.62% | #153 |
| 2020 | 31.89% | +2.19% | #153 |
| 2019 | 29.70% | +2.00% | #152 |
| 2018 | 27.70% | +1.80% | #145 |
| 2017 | 25.90% | +1.80% | #158 |
| 2016 | 24.10% | +1.60% | #150 |
| 2015 | 22.50% | +1.50% | #145 |
| 2014 | 21.00% | +1.90% | #140 |
| 2013 | 19.10% | +3.00% | #136 |
| 2012 | 16.10% | +2.30% | #137 |
| 2011 | 13.80% | +2.30% | #140 |
| 2010 | 11.50% | +2.20% | #138 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Nigeria matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2024. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw internet users improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Nigeria's internet users was 44.74% in 2025. Ranked 157th globally. This represents a 14.1% increase from the previous year.
Nigeria's internet users peaked at 44.74% in 2025.
The lowest internet users in Nigeria was 0.00% in 1990.
Nigeria ranks 157th globally in internet users as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is IT.NET.USER.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Nigeria's internet users is projected to reach 44.74% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The internet users of Nigeria in 2025 was 44.74%. This ranks 157th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_nigeria_internet-users,
title = {Nigeria Internet Users},
url = {https://historysaid.com/nigeria/internet-users/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}