Nigeria Records Remarkable Surge in Active Mobile Subscriptions, Reveals NCC

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has announced a significant milestone in the country’s mobile communication sector, with active mobile subscriptions reaching an impressive 220,715,961 million as of August 2023. Prof. Umar Danbatta, the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of NCC, made this revelation during the 18th Abuja International Trade Fair organized by the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) in Abuja.

This year’s 12-day edition of the trade fair is themed “Sustainable Financing and Taxation.” Represented by Mr. Umar Alkasim, the Director of the Consumer Affairs Bureau, Prof. Danbatta also disclosed that the tally of active internet subscribers had surged to 159,034,717 million, accompanied by a broadband penetration rate of 45.57 percent, as of August 2023.

Highlighting the importance of digital skills for businesses to thrive on a global scale, Danbatta stated, “In Nigeria today, the number of active mobile subscriptions reached 220,715,961 million as of August 2023, while Teledensity stood at 115.63 percent at the same period.”

He further emphasized the significance of digital skills for Nigerian businesses to remain competitive and contribute to the nation’s economic growth. Danbatta stressed that the NCC’s regulatory initiatives aimed at expanding digital access to services would benefit Nigeria, fostering competitiveness and aligning it with other global economies in terms of job creation and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth.

Danbatta expressed, “To sustain the steady growth of the telecoms sector, NCC would continue to create a conducive environment. This environment would stimulate the deployment of robust broadband infrastructure to improve the Quality of Service (QoS) and Quality of Experience (QoE) for telecom consumers, be it individuals or corporates.”

He underscored the importance of robust telecoms infrastructure in advancing Nigeria’s transition to an Information and Communication Technology (ICT)-driven economy, thereby enhancing global digital competitiveness.

Mr. Umar Alkasim, the Director of the Consumer Affairs Bureau, reemphasized NCC’s commitment to ensuring fair competition and equitable conditions for all stakeholders in the telecommunications industry. He reiterated NCC’s dedication to safeguarding consumer rights, protecting them from unfair practices, and providing informative and educational programs.