Nigeria’s ICT Sector Posted 31.63% Growth in Q1 2025 – NBS Report

By Elohor Ohworisi

Nigeria’s Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector recorded a substantial year-on-year growth of 31.63% in nominal terms during the first quarter of 2025, according to the latest data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

The report, which highlighted the sector’s growing influence on the nation’s economic structure, showed that the Q1 2025 growth marked a significant jump of 28.23 percentage points compared to the 3.40% growth recorded in the corresponding period of 2024. It also reflected a 13.67 percentage point increase from the fourth quarter of 2024.

In real terms, the ICT sector posted a 7.40% year-on-year growth, an improvement from the 4.04% growth recorded in Q1 2024, representing a 3.36 percentage point rise.

However, a quarter-on-quarter comparison revealed a contraction of -8.86%, pointing to seasonal patterns and short-term economic headwinds.

Despite the dip on a quarterly basis, the sector’s real GDP contribution rose to 10.59% in Q1 2025, up from 10.17% in the same quarter of 2024 and 9.32% in the preceding quarter.

This growth further underscored the ICT sector’s rising relevance to Nigeria’s broader economy.
The NBS report stated that, “In nominal terms, the sector grew by 31.63% year-on-year in Q1 2025.

This was 28.23 percentage points higher than the growth recorded in Q1 2024 and 13.67 percentage points above that of Q4 2024. On a quarter-on-quarter basis, the nominal growth stood at 8.35%.”

The sector was also reported to have contributed 10.29% to the nation’s total nominal GDP in Q1 2025, an increase from the 9.25% reported in the same period last year and 8.55% in Q4 2024.
In real terms, the sector’s contribution to total GDP stood at 10.59% for the quarter, maintaining a steady upward trend in both year-on-year and quarter-on-quarter comparisons.

Analysts attributed the robust performance to continued investments in broadband infrastructure, particularly 4G and 5G expansion, rising internet and data consumption, and increased digital integration across various sectors of the economy.

As Nigeria deepened its shift toward a more digitally driven economy, the ICT sector remained a critical pillar; driving innovation, supporting new job creation, and contributing to economic diversification.