In January 2025, mobile number portability in Nigeria experienced a significant surge, with 8,708 subscribers switching networks, marking a 190 per cent increase from the previous month, according to data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
Challenges Faced by 9mobile
Among the telecom operators, 9mobile faced the highest customer losses, with 6,716 subscribers leaving the network for competitors. Once a dominant player in the market, 9mobile has encountered challenges in recent years, with its subscriber base stagnant at 3.2 million for three consecutive months. This is a stark decline from the 23.4 million subscribers it boasted in 2015, when it held a 15.7 per cent market share. In January, despite the overall rise in porting activity, 9mobile only managed to attract seven new customers through porting.
The increase in porting activity can be attributed to a growing dissatisfaction among subscribers with the quality of service and pricing offered by their current operators, prompting them to seek better alternatives. This trend has benefited operators like MTN, Airtel, and Globacom, who have seen an influx of new subscribers through porting.
Factors Driving Porting Surge
MTN, Nigeria’s largest telecom provider, gained 5,551 new subscribers through porting while losing 1,188 to other networks. Airtel added 2,414 porting customers but lost 399 in the process. Globacom recorded 736 incoming subscribers and 405 outgoing. The surge in porting can be attributed to various factors, including poor network quality, competitive pricing, and improved customer service offered by rival operators.
The National Identification Number-SIM linkage enforcement by the NCC in 2024 disrupted the market, leading to a wave of SIM disconnections. However, some users who were initially affected by these disconnections are now returning to the market, opting for different networks.
In a positive turn of events for the telecom sector, January 2025 saw a significant rebound, with active mobile subscriptions increasing to 169.3 million from 164.9 million in December 2024. MTN witnessed substantial growth, adding 2.9 million new subscribers and expanding its total user base to 87.5 million. Airtel also experienced growth, with its customer base increasing from 56.6 million in December 2024 to 57.6 million in January 2025. Globacom, which had previously lost subscribers due to regulatory audits, saw a slight uptick, rising from 20.1 million users to 20.5 million. However, 9mobile continued to struggle, with its subscriber base remaining stagnant at 3.2 million for the third consecutive month.
The telecom landscape in Nigeria continues to evolve, with subscriber preferences shifting based on factors such as service quality, pricing, and customer service. As operators navigate these changing dynamics, the battle for market share intensifies, driving innovation and competition in the industry.
