The adoption of 5G technology in Nigeria continues to lag behind expectations, primarily due to the high costs associated with compatible devices and uneven network coverage across the country. As of August 2026, 5G accounted for only 4.92 percent of mobile connections, while 4G has become the leading technology at 54.77 percent.

Rising smartphone prices have made it increasingly difficult for many Nigerians to access 5G services. According to Kingsley Uwazie, Chief Technology Officer of NATCOM Development and Investment Limited, the cost of 5G devices remains a significant barrier for consumers. He noted that while some operators, like MTN Nigeria and Airtel Nigeria, offer subsidies on selected devices, the overall cost remains prohibitively high. A device that might cost around N50,000 with a subsidy could exceed N200,000 without it.

The smartphone market in Nigeria has contracted by 11 percent in the second quarter of 2026, as reported by Omdia, with significant price increases for various smartphone models. For instance, the price of the itel S-Series Ultra surged from approximately N263,500 to N316,400, while the Infinix Zero Series saw an increase from about N550,000 to N637,500. This trend is exacerbated by rising memory-chip costs, which have been influenced by increased demand from sectors like artificial intelligence.

Even for those who can afford 5G-enabled devices, accessing reliable 5G connections remains a challenge. Coverage is inconsistent, with major cities like Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt experiencing significant gaps. A report from December 2025 indicated that Lagos had an average 5G coverage gap of 55.4 percent, meaning users could not connect to 5G for more than half of the time measured. In Abuja, the gap was reported at 47.4 percent.

The high operational costs of expanding 5G infrastructure further complicate the situation. Uwazie estimated that maintaining a telecommunications site in Nigeria could cost between $2,000 and $3,000 monthly, compared to much lower costs in countries like China and India. This high expenditure makes it difficult for operators to justify deploying 5G in areas with low subscriber potential.

The implications of these challenges extend beyond just 5G adoption; they threaten Nigeria's broader digital inclusion goals. The GSMA's smartphone adoption report highlighted that only 27 percent of Nigeria's population owned a smartphone in 2024, while the mobile internet usage gap remained close to 60 percent. The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has indicated that it is exploring ways to make more affordable smartphones available, but rising global component costs pose a significant threat to these initiatives.

To achieve widespread 5G adoption, it is essential that device prices decrease, network coverage improves, and operators find sustainable ways to lower deployment costs. Without addressing these barriers, 5G technology will remain largely inaccessible to the majority of Nigerians, limiting the benefits of mobile connectivity for many.