Lagos, Nigeria – Leading internet service provider FibreOne has challenged the accuracy of the latest subscriber data released by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), which suggested a dramatic drop in the company’s user base.
The NCC’s Q1 2025 industry report claimed FibreOne’s subscriber base fell from 33,010 in Q3 2024 to 19,053, indicating a steep 42.4% decline. The figures have drawn widespread attention in Nigeria’s telecom and tech circles.
But in a document obtained by The PUNCH on Thursday, FibreOne rejected the figures, calling them “outdated and inaccurate.” The company insists it ended Q1 2025 with over 39,000 active subscribers, representing an 18% growth compared to the previous quarter.
“The data presently shown on the NCC portal may not reflect the most recent update for Q1 2025,” the company stated. “According to FibreOne’s latest verified submission, the company has over 39,000+ active subscribers.”
NCC Yet to Respond
The NCC has not yet issued a formal response to FibreOne’s challenge. Meanwhile, the broadband provider says it is engaging directly with the regulator to correct the public record.
Dr. Kenny Joda, Head of Regulatory and Public Relations at FibreOne, confirmed that discussions are ongoing with the NCC to update and publish the correct subscriber numbers.
“Until this process is concluded, it would be premature to assess FibreOne’s performance based on data that does not reflect the full picture,” Joda said.
FibreOne further noted that while regulatory data remains a critical reference point for industry analysis, context and recency are key to understanding growth trajectories and market dynamics.
Fixed Broadband Market Faces Contraction
The disputed figures emerged as Nigeria’s fixed broadband market contracted, with total subscribers dropping from 307,946 in Q3 2024 to 289,369 in Q1 2025 a loss of over 18,000 users.
Despite the shrinkage, Spectranet retained its lead with 105,441 subscribers, while Starlink, the satellite-based provider that entered the Nigerian market in early 2023, recorded 65,564 users in Q1 2025. Based on the NCC’s figures, FibreOne was placed third.
However, if FibreOne’s self-reported 39,000 subscriber count is validated, the company would not only retain its position in the top three, but also emerge as one of the few operators demonstrating positive growth in a declining market.
“As FibreOne continues to engage with regulators to correct the record, the broader narrative around its growth and innovation in the Nigerian broadband market appears far more robust than the 42 per cent decline figure suggested,” the company concluded.
Industry Implications
The episode raises broader questions about data transparency, reporting timelines, and industry trust in regulatory statistics especially in a sector that underpins Nigeria’s digital economy aspirations.
With fixed broadband penetration still low relative to mobile internet usage, any inaccuracies in official reporting could affect investment decisions, consumer trust, and policy direction.
