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Nigeria’s mobile telecommunications sector has continued its recovery, with active mobile subscriptions rising to 189.4 million in May, marking the highest level recorded since 2024, according to the latest industry statistics released by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
The latest figure represents the strongest subscriber base since April 2024, when total active mobile subscriptions reached 216.6 million, before regulatory measures targeting inactive and improperly registered SIM cards led to a significant decline across the industry.
The rebound reflects gradual recovery in the telecommunications sector following the completion of major SIM registration compliance exercises and regulatory enforcement aimed at strengthening the integrity of Nigeria’s subscriber database.
MTN retains market leadership
Market data shows that MTN Nigeria maintained its position as the country’s largest mobile network operator, ending May with 96.9 million active subscriptions.
The operator accounted for 51.19 per cent of Nigeria’s total mobile subscriber base during the period, reinforcing its leadership in the highly competitive telecommunications market.
Airtel Nigeria remained the second-largest operator with 65.4 million active subscriptions, representing a market share of 34.55 per cent.
Globacom followed with 23.4 million active subscribers, accounting for 12.39 per cent of the market, while T2, formerly known as 9mobile, recorded 3.5 million active subscriptions, remaining the smallest operator among Nigeria’s four major mobile service providers.
The latest figures underscore the sector’s gradual recovery after an extended period of subscriber losses linked to regulatory compliance measures, including mandatory SIM registration and the deactivation of unverified mobile lines.
Recovery remains uneven across operators
Despite the overall improvement in subscriber numbers, market growth has not been evenly distributed among operators.
MTN has continued to strengthen its market position, widening the gap between itself and competing operators.
Meanwhile, T2 has faced challenges in expanding its subscriber base despite efforts to reposition its business following its rebranding from 9mobile approximately one year ago.
The operator has remained within the three-million subscriber range since September 2025.
Once serving more than 22 million subscribers, the company has continued to navigate network investment pressures and customer retention challenges, despite entering into an infrastructure-sharing agreement with MTN in July 2025.
Industry stakeholders say the increase in mobile subscriptions reflects continued investment by telecommunications companies in network expansion, digital infrastructure and technology-driven services to meet growing demand for voice and data connectivity.
With mobile penetration serving as an important indicator of digital economy development, analysts believe sustaining the recovery will depend on operators’ ability to improve service quality, expand network coverage, strengthen digital infrastructure and manage rising operating costs.
The continued growth of Nigeria’s telecommunications industry also reinforces the importance of regulatory compliance, digital infrastructure investment and effective regulatory oversight in supporting innovation, financial inclusion and the country’s broader digital transformation agenda.
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