By Nigeria has officially crossed a historic digital threshold—reaching 1 terabit per second (1Tbps) in internet traffic for the first time. This achievement marks a major leap in the country’s digital journey, signifying rapid transformation and the growing maturity of local tech infrastructure. From just 10 megabits per second in 2008, Nigeria’s internet capacity has expanded massively, driven by local data centers, improved connectivity, and the integration of global giants like Google, Netflix, and TikTok at the Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria (IXPN).
Muhammed Rudman, CEO of IXPN, revealed the milestone during a press session in Lagos. “This milestone is more than just a number. It is a symbol of Nigeria’s digital maturity,” he stated. He emphasized that this achievement lowers internet costs, boosts speed, and brings more resilience to the country’s digital economy. With 1Tbps, Nigeria can now handle over one million Zoom calls or 200,000 HD video streams simultaneously.
Beyond speed, the financial impact of this shift is huge. According to the Internet Society, Nigeria now saves about $40 million yearly by routing internet traffic locally. That means less reliance on costly international bandwidth and better digital services for millions of Nigerians. Rudman said this is a win for innovation, tech entrepreneurship, and everyday internet users.
Despite progress, Rudman acknowledged that Nigeria’s infrastructure still lags. He pointed out that Nigeria, with a population similar to Brazil, has only 257 active networks compared to Brazil’s 10,000. Most Nigerians still access the internet through mobile devices, often limited to 2G or 3G speeds. He also criticized the lack of digital integration in sectors like banking and education, noting that only one bank—the Central Bank—is connected to IXPN.
Rudman proposed a broader vision of Nigeria as a digital hub for West Africa. He wants cities like Kano to serve as content centers that attract users from neighboring nations. But he warned that this vision needs investment in community networks, better regulatory support, and a reversal in the decline of local ISPs. “The number of ISPs is shrinking. That’s a red flag,” he said.
As Nigeria looks ahead, IXPN is preparing for future tech demands like AI, 5G, and IoT. Rudman praised the engineers and partners who’ve helped achieve this feat and called on regulators, ISPs, and media stakeholders to work together to fill the gaps in the country’s digital landscape. “Let’s work together to solve this,” he urged. Surveys show that some IXPN members can now route up to 70% of their traffic locally—proof that Nigeria is laying the groundwork for a more connected future.
