From December 2025, the total number of licensed ISPs rose from 225 to 231 as a result of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) licensing six additional Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to operate in Nigeria, with effect from January 1, 2026.
The new licenses are being issued in the middle of fierce competition from satellite providers like Starlink and mobile network operators, putting strain on conventional ISPs.
The recently licensed businesses are Amazon Kuiper Nigeria Limited, Boost ISP Limited, Fiber Sonic Limited, Dasol Solution Services Ltd, Granet Technologies Limited, and Intellvision Technologies Limited.
The new ISPs are mostly located in Lagos, with one operating out of Owerri in Imo State.
According to NCC data, ISP operations are heavily concentrated in urban areas such as Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt, which reflects the high infrastructure costs and demand in large cities.
Starlink, which has gained a large user base since its launch in 2023, is now joined by Amazon Kuiper as a reflection of Nigeria’s openness to foreign satellite broadband providers.
Industry participants point out that because of their size, capital intensity, and competitive pricing, smaller ISPs may find it difficult to compete with major mobile carriers and satellite providers if regulatory protection is not in place.
The reality is that you can’t compete against the major competitor, so what we’re looking for is a way for everyone to get a piece of the pie and collaborate peacefully, according to Chidi Ibisi, Executive Director, Business Development at Broadbased Communications Ltd.
Kehinde Joda, Head of Regulatory and Public Relations at FibreOne, emphasised difficulties such as expensive infrastructure and the necessity for innovation beyond simple internet connectivity.
Spectranet, Starlink, and FibreOne continue to dominate the ISP market, accounting for over 65% of all active users in Q2 2025.