What internet speed means for ordinary Nigerians: users share their experience

Omoleye Omoruyi
What internet speed mean for ordinary Nigerians

MTN Nigeria was named the Best Mobile Internet Speed in 2024 by nPerf, a global leader in telecom performance measurement. 

According to the nPerf Barometre, MTN leads Nigeria’s mobile internet with an impressive download speed increase from 14 Mbps to 18 Mbps, the fastest in the country. Its upload speed also rose from 6 Mbps to 8 Mbps, enhancing content sharing and live streaming. Latency was reduced from 128 ms to 79 ms, benefiting real-time activities such as online gaming and video calls.

Airtel Nigeria ranks second with a download speed of 10 Mbps and an upload speed of 4 Mbps. Although it recorded a higher latency of 120 ms, Airtel secured a solid 67% score for streaming, indicating strong performance in browsing and media consumption.

Glo Nigeria made notable progress, achieving a 12% improvement in its overall nPerf score. The provider’s download speed stands at 6 Mbps and upload speed at 3 Mbps, reflecting steady growth in service quality.

But technical figures don’t always tell the full story, especially because no day passes without a complaint registering on the internet about frustrating internet speed. Ironic right? 

A 4G connection means little when buffering disrupts a live class or when data vanishes faster than expected. In a country where connectivity is both an enabler and a barrier, ordinary Nigerians share what internet speed—or the lack of it—truly means for them.

Network is there, but it’s not there” – The student struggle

Peter, an NYSC corps member in Ekiti, has learned to work around internet inconsistencies. When asked about his experience, he lets out a short laugh. “Internet providers in Nigeria? They promise heaven and earth in ads, but in reality, we struggle daily.”

His biggest frustration is unpredictability. One minute, a video loads seamlessly, and the next, pages refuse to open. “It’s annoying because you can’t rely on it for anything serious. Sometimes, I have to wake up at odd hours just to get a good connection.”

John Bosco, a student at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), echoes similar frustrations. “Speed is everything for students. Whether you’re researching, streaming lectures, or even just trying to register for courses, a slow connection can make life hard.”

His experience with switching networks has been equally disappointing. “There are places on campus where the network just disappears. You have to walk around, searching for a better signal like you’re looking for treasure.

Another UNN student puts it more bluntly: “Network is there, but it’s not really there.”

For many students, affordability adds another layer of frustration. Data bundles get exhausted too quickly, leaving them disconnected when they need the internet most. 

As a student, you have to choose between food and data sometimes. And even when you buy a plan, there’s no guarantee it will work well,” one student explains.

The professional worker’s daily battle

Omotola, a Lagos-based ride-hailing driver, relies on mobile internet for navigation, customer communication, and earnings tracking. Slow internet isn’t just an inconvenience—it’s lost income. 

Sometimes, the app just hangs when I’m trying to accept a ride. If I can’t pick trips fast enough, I lose money. It’s frustrating.”

While some may assume location plays a role, he argues otherwise. “Even in central areas where you expect good service, pages still load like we’re in the 90s. It doesn’t make sense.”

For those working remotely, the stakes are even higher. Tina, a hospital management staff member in Abeokuta, describes the irony of internet speed in Nigeria. 

The ads load faster than the actual internet!” she says. “It’s the unnecessary clogging that annoys me. The connection drags, yet data disappears before your eyes.”

She has adapted by being selective about when and where she accesses critical work files. “Meetings get disrupted, emails take forever to send, and you start to wonder if the internet is working against you.”

Tomi, who previously worked remotely, recalls a day when internet speed issues forced him to miss work entirely. 

The network was so bad that I had to take a leave. About three people in my team took a leave that day because we just couldn’t work.”

The issue wasn’t just technical—it had professional consequences. “There’s no way you can complain about network issues to your boss. You have to show you’re working, and there’s no excuse for bad internet.”

He has also struggled with connectivity during school projects and virtual meetings. “When you can’t participate in a meeting because of network issues, you’re left behind.”

Hanif, a tech bro in Lagos, has adapted to Nigeria’s unpredictable internet landscape. 

It’s not every time the network works well,” he says. Sudden downtimes disrupt his workflow, forcing him to work around connectivity issues. 

Tomi has found a way to manage internet instability. 

The network is really slow in the afternoon because there’s a lot of traffic. The only thing that helps is switching ISPs—sometimes from MTN to Airtel or Glo, depending on which one is stable at the moment.”

He believes unlimited data plans are the best solution. “To fully support remote work, everyone needs to get on an unlimited plan. Buying data in bits costs too much. If you can get SpectraNet or one of those Wi-Fi providers, it’s better in the long run.”

Hanif adds, “If I had uninterrupted internet, I’d be more productive—and I’d have peace of mind. Slow or bad network makes me frustrated.”

The small business hustle: Losing customers to slow replies

In the age of social media commerce, a WhatsApp message or Instagram post can translate into sales. But for business owners like Sophia, slow internet threatens potential revenue. “If you don’t reply fast enough, customers move to the next vendor. Nigerian customers don’t have patience.

Uploading product images, responding to inquiries, and processing payments require a stable connection. When the network fluctuates, businesses suffer. 

There are days when I can’t even send a simple picture of a dress to a customer. They think I’m ignoring them, but it’s the network.”

Data costs also eat into her profits. “Imagine spending money on ads to attract customers, only for the network to fail when they message you. I have to use multiple SIM cards just to make sure I stay connected.”

For many digital entrepreneurs, investing in multiple network providers has become a necessary expense. 

I use MTN and Airtel, but even then, there’s no guarantee. Sometimes, both will fail at the same time,” Sophia laments.

“Nothing has changed, except the prices”

Despite the reported improvements in internet speed, users like Peter remain sceptical. “Yes, maybe in Lagos or Abuja, there’s 5G, but what about the rest of us? The divide between urban and rural areas is still wide.”

An anonymous user based in Lagos agrees. “Over the past year, I have not noticed any improvements in internet speed or service. In fact, it has worsened.” Despite advertisements promising high-speed internet, their reality tells a different story. “Network coverage in my area is poor, and disruptions happen too often. The inconsistency is the most frustrating part.”

Emmanuel, another user, shares similar frustrations. “My internet provider doesn’t deliver as they preach. One of my biggest frustrations is losing reception sometimes with no prior warning or explanations afterwards.

He also raises concerns about data consumption. “Monthly subscriptions should be monthly, not something else. Data finishes too fast.” 

Despite this, he acknowledges some changes. “Since the introduction of 5G, things have improved in some places. It’s going to make everything swift, fast, and easy.”

Tina also notes a shift—but not in the way she hoped. “The only thing that has changed is that data is now more expensive. The network speed? Still unreliable.”

What internet speed mean for ordinary Nigerians: Users share their experience

For everyday users, internet connectivity determines access to work, education, and entertainment. While providers tout speed tests and network expansions, Nigerians continue to navigate a digital world that often moves at an infuriatingly slow pace.

As Omotola sums it up: “If our internet speed was as fast as they claim in adverts, life would be much easier. But for now, we move.”


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