*Contributes 10.59% to real GDP amid rising digital adoption
By Juliet Umeh
Nigeria’s Information and Communication Technology, ICT, sector continues to demonstrate its critical role in national economic growth, recording a significant 31.63 percent year-on-year growth in nominal terms in Q1 2025, according to the latest data released by the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS.
The report reveals a substantial leap of 28.23 percentage points from the 3.40 percent growth rate posted in Q1 2024, and a 13.67 percentage point increase compared to Q4 2024, highlighting the sector’s accelerating expansion in a fast-evolving digital landscape.
In real terms, the sector grew by 7.40 percent year-on-year, marking an improvement from 4.04 percent in Q1 2024. Although it saw a quarter-on-quarter contraction of -8.86 percent, analysts attribute this to typical seasonal trends and short-term macroeconomic fluctuations.
Notably, the ICT sector contributed 10.59 percent to Nigeria’s real GDP in Q1 2025, up from 10.17 percent in Q1 2024 and 9.32 percent in the previous quarter, underscoring its growing relevance in shaping Nigeria’s economic trajectory.
The NBS report stated: “In nominal terms, the sector’s growth in Q1 2025 stood at 31.63 percent year-on-year, representing a 28.23 percentage point increase from Q1 2024 and 13.67 percentage points higher than Q4 2024. Quarter-on-quarter nominal growth was 8.35 percent .
The Information and Communication sector contributed 10.29 percent to total nominal GDP in Q1 2025 up from 9.25 percent in Q1 2024 and 8.55 percent in Q4 2024. In real terms, it contributed 10.59 percent to total real GDP.”
Industry experts link this performance to continued expansion in broadband infrastructure, particularly in 4G and 5G networks, as well as rising data consumption and deeper digital adoption across both households and enterprises.
The sector’s sustained growth aligns with Nigeria’s broader goal of building a digital-first economy that fosters innovation, enhances productivity, and supports economic diversification.
“These figures affirm that the ICT sector is not only resilient but increasingly central to Nigeria’s economic transformation,” said one industry analyst.
“As digital services and connectivity become embedded into everyday life, the sector will continue to be a major source of job creation, investment, and national competitiveness.”
With over 85 million internet subscribers and the government’s ongoing push for broadband penetration and digital inclusion, Nigeria’s ICT sector is poised for even greater impact in the months ahead.
