Every new generation takes what worked before, fix what didn’t, and then push things even further. That’s usually how progress is meant to work and if you think about it, you have seen this pattern before, where new ideas are birthed because something needs to be better.
The same thing has happened with mobile networks. Every time you moved from 3G to 4G and now from 4G to 5G, it wasn’t just about a new name, it was about solving problems you probably didn’t even realise you were experiencing.
Problems like slow downloads, videos that keep stopping to load, calls that suddenly cut off and video chats that delay.
So when people talk about generations of mobile technology, they are talking about a story of improvement. One generation responds to the limits of the one before it, another fixes the cracks the other exposed.
Now, you are standing at the peak of another improvement – 4G to 5G. Most people worry whether the new improvement is truly better or it’s another upgrade they need to pay for.
Let’s check if that’s true or not!
What Is 4G?
You have probably seen the ‘4G’ icon that pops up when you are browsing or on a video call. 4G represents the fourth generation of mobile networks, and it’s a leap from 3G.
If you have ever used 3G, you can attest to the fact that it used to feel a bit slow like your videos taking a lot of time to load. 4G fixed most of these issues. It’s faster with up to 100 Mbps (Megabits per second), more reliable and can handle all your apps, video calls and remote work.
With 4G, you can browse the Internet quickly. You can join smooth video calls with friends and colleagues. 4G made our smartphones truly smart.
How 4G works
You know how your phone magically sends videos and messages on WhatsApp in seconds? That’s 4G working. Your phone sends and receives information using radio signals that track nearby masts (the tall towers you see around) which connect to the Internet.
The signals move through different lanes called spectrum. It carries all your videos, calls, messages and more. That’s why you can chat, stream and watch videos without delays.
In Nigeria, most cities and towns are covered by these 4G masts so your internet usually works smoothly, as long as you are in a covered area.
What is 5G?
5G is the fifth generation of mobile networks and it’s the latest upgrade from 4G. It’s up to 100 times faster than 4G, realistically up to 1Gbps (Gigabits per second).
5G supports the use of phones, smart gadgets and AI applications. At the same time, it can handle multiple operations without slowing down.
5G is designed to improve on 4G, to solve the limits we are used to, and to create opportunities for new technology that wasn’t possible before.
How 5G works
First, 5G uses a higher frequency spectrum. It uses faster airwaves to transmit information. It’s like switching from a normal road to an express motorway.
Here’s the catch, those higher frequencies don’t travel as far as 4G signals. Instead of relying on big masts that are far apart, 5G uses many small towers, which are often called small cells.
You might see them on streetlights, poles or building walls. They are closer to you, so as to keep the connection strong and fast. Because of these faster airwaves and more small cells working together, your data moves much quicker between your phone and the internet.
That’s why 5G can download large files in seconds. 5G is basically a 4G system but it’s upgraded to handle more speed, more devices and more demand from people who are online all the time.
4G vs 5G
Below are some of the features that distinctly differentiate 4G from 5G
| Features | 4G | 5G |
| Full Meaning | Fourth Generation mobile network | Fifth Generation mobile network |
| Speed | It’s fast enough for streaming, browsing and video calls | It’s much more faster, up to 1 Gigabits per second |
| Download | Large files can take minutes | Large files can download in seconds |
| Latency | Little delay here and there when gaming or during video calls | Almost instant response |
| Number of Devices Supported | It handles many devices but can slow down in crowded areas | It handles far more devices without slowing down |
| Network Infrastructure | It uses large masts spaced across cities and towns | It uses large masts and many smaller cells placed closer together |
| Best for | For social media, streaming, browsing, and online classes | Advanced technologies, smart devices and artificial intelligence tools |
| Coverage in Nigeria | It’s widely available across cities and towns | It’s still limited and expanding in selected areas |
| Stability in Nigeria | It’s more stable and dependable | It depends heavily on location and coverage |
Should Nigerians upgrade to 5G?
In Nigeria, 4G is what most of us rely on. It’s available in cities, towns and even some rural areas.
To decide on whether to move from 4G to 5G in Nigeria isn’t about having the latest phone, it’s about if the network is actually ready to give you the benefits where you live, work and travel.
Findings from TechAfrica, TheCable and Daily Trust have shown if Nigerians are ready for 5G.
Many Nigerians have 5G phones but can’t use 5G yet. According to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), about half of Nigerians who own 5G devices still cannot access 5G network services.
Edoyemi Ogoh, director of technical standards and network integrity at the commission, spoke on 5G network while presenting the fourth quarter (Q4) 2025 industry performance reports. According to him;
“About 50 percent of Nigerians with 5G devices don’t have access to 5G service.
This means there is no 5G service in the areas where they want to basically utilise it. So, there is still a gap in the 5G coverage” – Ogoh
This connotes that even if your phone shows a 5G symbol, the actual internet connection may fall back to 4G because there is no usable 5G network where you are.
According to TechAfrica, in Lagos, about 55.4% of the state still doesn’t have effective 5G coverage, which means that more than half of the areas do not have 5G service yet.
In the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja), 5G coverage is slightly better but there is still a gap of around 47%.
Daily Trust also noted that connecting to 5G access requires compatible SIM cards, setting changes and available signals, that is, it is not only your phone that can do 5G.
So as a Nigerian, you might have 5G on your phone but the network to support it may not always be there.
If you are a Nigerian, you live in a major city with growing 5G infrastructure, upgrading might give you faster and smoother experiences but if your location still has a very weak or no 5G coverage, upgrading right now might not make a difference because you would still rely mostly on 4G for most of your data needs.
The smart choice for you as a Nigerian, is to keep using good 4G where it works well and you can consider 5G once its coverage improves.
