The ongoing struggles of 9mobile are not just about one telecom operator but signify a major transformation sweeping Nigeria’s telecom sector. While 9mobile continues to lose market share, regulatory measures by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) are forcing a recalibration across the industry. This is leading to a sharp drop in reported subscriber numbers.
In 2024, Nigeria lost 24.6 million internet users as the NCC cracked down on unverified SIM cards and tightened its definition of an active subscriber. Telecom operators had to deactivate lines without proper National Identity Number (NIN) verification, while only revenue-generating users—those making calls, purchasing data, or recharging airtime—were counted as active subscribers.
These changes had an immediate impact. Between December 2023 and December 2024, the number of internet users fell from 163.8 million to 139.2 million, while active phone connections declined by 26.6%, from 224.7 million to 164.9 million. Despite this, mobile data consumption surged from 713,200 terabytes to 973,445 terabytes.
In this evolving market, 9mobile’s struggles stand out. With a shrinking market share of just 1.9%, the company’s stagnation contrasts sharply with the dominance of larger competitors. MTN now holds 51.4% of the market, Airtel follows with 34.3%, and Glo retains 12.2%. This shows that strong networks with quality service attract more engaged users.
