Why Are Telecom Subscriptions Increasing Everyday?

Telecom subscriptions in Nigeria have been on the rise, and this growth is sparking curiosity across the country. In January 2025, the number of active telecom subscriptions hit a new high of 169.3 million, up from 164.9 million in December 2024. 

This marks a notable recovery from a sharp drop in September 2024 when subscriptions fell to just over 154 million.

So, why is this happening? The surge comes after a period of serious decline, especially in the first quarter of 2024, when over 42 million SIM cards were deactivated. A major factor in this was the Nigerian Communications Commission’s (NCC) efforts to clean up the system by removing inactive and improperly registered SIM cards. 

This cleanup, paired with a reorganization of the sector in September, caused a temporary drop in numbers.

But the recovery has been swift. By December 2024, the numbers had bounced back, reaching 164.9 million. By January 2025, subscriptions grew to 169.3 million, a sign that the sector is picking up steam once again. This growth has been largely driven by two telecom giants, MTN and Airtel, both of which saw an increase in their subscriber base in early 2025.

One of the major signs of this positive growth is the rise in “teledensity,” which is the measure of active phone connections in the country. Teledensity increased to 78.10 percent in January, up from 76.08 percent in December 2024. This shows that more Nigerians are gaining access to mobile networks and services.

MTN and Airtel are the main players driving this trend. MTN, for example, now has 87.5 million subscribers, securing 51.7 percent of the market share in January 2025, up from 84.6 million the month before. Airtel has also seen its market share grow, with 57.6 million subscribers in January, up from 56.6 million in December. These increases have helped boost the overall number of telecom subscriptions.

Globacom, which had faced some struggles earlier in 2024 due to regulatory challenges, is starting to show signs of recovery. Its subscriber base grew slightly from 20.1 million in December 2024 to 20.5 million in January 2025. 

However, the story for 9mobile is less positive. The company’s subscriber base has remained stagnant at 3.2 million for months, and its market share has continued to decline. In fact, 9mobile lost a significant number of subscribers, with over 6,700 people porting out of its network in January 2025 alone.

Mobile number portability, which allows users to switch networks while keeping their numbers, has also been a part of the story. In January 2025, there were 8,708 porting activities, a huge jump from the 2,998 recorded in December 2024. 

MTN was the biggest winner in this regard, gaining 5,551 new subscribers from other networks. Airtel also saw a boost, with 2,414 people porting to its network, while Globacom gained 736 new customers. Unfortunately for 9mobile, the company saw just 7 people join its network through porting.

The increase in telecom subscriptions in Nigeria isn’t just about numbers, it’s about a growing trend of connectivity. More people are turning to mobile networks for communication, access to the internet, and even mobile banking. With telecom companies like MTN and Airtel continuing to grow, it’s clear that the Nigerian telecom industry is poised for even greater expansion in the coming months.

But what’s behind the rise? More Nigerians are finding value in having a mobile connection. Mobile phones are no longer just for making calls—they are essential tools for socializing, working, and accessing services. With better coverage and improved network quality, more people are seeing the benefits of having a telecom subscription, and that’s why we’re seeing subscriptions grow every day.