Globacom recorded the biggest increase in internet subscribers among Nigeria’s major telecommunications operators in May, as the country’s total internet user base climbed to 157 million, according to data from the Nigerian Communications Commission.

Nigeria added about 2.67 million internet subscribers during the month, up from 154.3 million in April. Globacom accounted for nearly half of that increase, adding about 1.2 million subscribers as its customer base rose to 16.8 million from 15.5 million.

Airtel followed with an increase of about 1.07 million subscribers, taking its total to 55.8 million from 54.8 million. MTN added 382,894 subscribers during the month, bringing its total to 83.5 million. T2 Mobile, formerly known as 9mobile, was the only major operator to report no increase. Its subscriber base held at 802,534 for a second consecutive month.

Fiber expansion supports Globacom subscriber gains

The result gives Globacom a notable gain in a market where operators are competing to add customers as demand for mobile data continues to rise. It also comes as the company rolls out network upgrades aimed at increasing capacity and improving service quality.

Globacom has spent the past year adding base stations, expanding its fiber network and deploying new 4G sites in cities and rural communities. The work is intended to give the network more capacity as customers use their phones for streaming, social media, payments, work and other online services.

Report in February said Globacom had expanded network capacity across Nigeria as part of a broader upgrade of its infrastructure. The improvements included efforts to increase data speeds and make connections more reliable in areas where demand has been rising.

The latest subscriber figures suggest those investments are coinciding with stronger customer additions. Globacom’s 1.2 million new subscribers in May were more than the combined increase recorded by MTN and several smaller operators during the month.

Network upgrade drives subscriber growth

The network expansion followed a major infrastructure upgrade that was activated on Dec. 4, 2025, supported by additional spectrum and increased network capacity. The upgrade was designed to allow Glo to handle more traffic while improving the performance of its 4G network.

Additional spectrum has given Globacom more room to carry data as usage increases. For customers, that can mean faster downloads, smoother video streaming, and more consistent connections, particularly during periods of heavy traffic.

The company has also deployed thousands of new LTE sites, including in densely populated areas such as markets and universities. Adding sites in those locations can reduce pressure on existing infrastructure as more people connect to the network at the same time.

Power remains another major cost and operating challenge for Nigeria’s telecom companies. Globacom has installed hybrid battery systems at a number of its base stations, reducing its reliance on diesel generators and helping keep sites operating when electricity supply from the national grid is unreliable.

For Globacom, the May numbers provide an early sign that its network investment is translating into subscriber growth. Whether the increase can be sustained will depend on the company’s ability to maintain service quality and compete with MTN and Airtel, which together account for the vast majority of Nigeria’s mobile internet subscribers.