MTN Nigeria officially launched its 5G network in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt on Monday, making Nigeria the fourth country in sub-Saharan Africa to offer commercial fifth-generation mobile connectivity and opening a new chapter in the country's digital transformation.

The launch follows 18 months of network testing and infrastructure rollout, with MTN having invested ₦180 billion in spectrum acquisition and base station upgrades. Initial speed tests in Lagos's Victoria Island district recorded average download speeds of 450 Mbps — approximately 30 times faster than the current 4G average — and latency of under 10 milliseconds.

Coverage and pricing

The 5G service will initially be available to customers within 5 kilometres of 1,200 base stations across the three launch cities. MTN says it will expand to 20 cities by December 2026, targeting a population coverage of 40 million people. 5G-enabled data plans will start at ₦15,000 per month for 100GB, compared to ₦8,000 for equivalent 4G packages.

"5G is not just about faster phones. It is the infrastructure that will enable smart manufacturing, precision agriculture, telemedicine and autonomous vehicles in Nigeria. We are building the digital highway for the next generation." — MTN Nigeria CEO Karl Toriola

Competition

Airtel Nigeria is expected to launch its own 5G service in Q3 2026, while Glo has indicated it will follow in 2027. The Nigerian Communications Commission said it would auction additional 5G spectrum in September to ensure competitive pricing.