Encomium
A new report from the global network intelligence firm, Ookla has confirmed that mobile users in Nigeria are now experiencing the fastest 5G speeds in West Africa. The study, which evaluated millions of consumer-initiated tests from the first half of 2025 (Q1-Q2), awarded the title of “Fastest 5G Mobile Network” to MTN Nigeria based on its superior Speed Score of 55.97.
This victory highlights a leap in mobile internet quality available to subscribers. Crucially, the data shows that users are consistently achieving median download speeds of an impressive 226.59 Megabits per second (Mbps). This level of performance means ultra-high-definition streaming, seamless cloud gaming, and downloading large files are now smoother and faster than ever before. Median upload speeds were also strong at 17.89 Mbps, facilitating quick sharing of photos and videos.
The award relies on Ookla’s rigorous Speed Score methodology, which combines download, upload, and latency metrics to provide a comprehensive measure of network speed and responsiveness. For millions of users, this recognition translates directly into a genuinely world-class and more reliable mobile experience.
Stephen Bye, CEO of Ookla, affirmed the achievement, stating, “After conducting an in-depth analysis of consumer-initiated tests taken with Speedtest, MTN has been named the ‘Fastest 5G Network in Western Africa’ by Ookla’s Speedtest Awards. We are thrilled to acknowledge MTN for this achievement, which is the result of their unwavering focus on delivering superior network experience to their customers.”
The scale of this achievement is further underscored by the high volume of user testing in Nigeria compared to other regional contenders. The winning network recorded 44,715 test counts during the measured period, showcasing a widespread and consistent availability of the network quality.
Analysts note that maintaining such high performance requires constant, large-scale investment, a factor highlighted by the operator’s commitment of over ₦750 billion in capital expenditure for 2025 to expand and maintain network capacity. This aggressive, sustained financial commitment is key to ensuring network quality remains high, particularly as the country’s digital infrastructure frequently faces disruption from challenges like fibre cuts due to construction and vandalism.
