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Nigerians now economical with data The content creation industry in Nigeria has seen an unprecedented boom in recent years, fueled by increased access to smartphones, the internet, growing youth population and social media platforms. As of 2024, 58 million Nigerians (29% of the population) were mobile internet users, contributing to the global total of 4.7 billion (58% of the world’s population).
Monthly data consumption rose 93.35%, from 517,670.15 TB in January 2023 to 1,000,930.
6 TB in January 2025, according to the Nigerian Communications Commission. From skit makers to educational influencers, a growing number of Nigerians have built livelihoods through online content. However, the recent hike in telecom data tariffs has cast a shadow over the industry, threatening the revenue and reach of digital creators.
A BusinessDay price analysis shows that the average cost of 1GB across MTN Nigeria, Airtel Nigeria, Globacom, and 9mobile has risen by 65.22%, from N287.5 to N475, based on their published rates.
Read also: Senate to probe rising data costs by telecom providers Content creation industry threatened Before the surge in data costs, millions of Nigerians turned to digital platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube for entertainment, education, and information. This demand created an ecosystem where content creators thrived through monetisation, brand partnerships, and influencer marketin.
