Why Over 8,000 Subscribers Switched Networks in January – NCC

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The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has released data showing a significant surge in mobile number portability in Nigeria for January 2025. The data reveals that 8,708 subscribers switched networks in January, a 190% increase compared to the 2,998 subscribers who ported in December 2024.

According to the NCC, 9mobile recorded the highest customer losses, with 6,716 subscribers leaving the network for competitors. “This is a clear indication that subscribers are becoming increasingly dissatisfied with the service quality and pricing offered by 9mobile,” said an industry expert.

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9mobile’s struggles are evident in its stagnant subscriber base, which has remained at 3.2 million for three consecutive months. This is a significant drop from the 23.4 million subscribers it had in 2015, when it held a 15.7% market share. Despite the rise in porting activity, 9mobile attracted only seven new customers through porting in January.

On the other hand, MTN, Airtel, and Globacom benefited from the trend. MTN gained 5,551 new subscribers through porting and lost 1,188 to other networks. Airtel added 2,414 porting customers and lost 399, while Globacom recorded 736 incoming subscribers, with 405 outgoing.

“The surge in porting activity is attributed to several factors, including poor network quality, competitive pricing, and improved customer service from rival operators,” said an NCC spokesperson. “The enforcement of the National Identification Number-SIM linkage also disrupted the market in 2024, leading to massive SIM disconnections. Some users who were initially affected are now returning, choosing different networks.”

The telecom sector recorded a significant rebound in January 2025, with active mobile subscriptions rising to 169.3 million from 164.9 million in December 2024. MTN, Nigeria’s largest telecom provider, added 2.9 million new subscribers, bringing its total user base to 87.5 million. Airtel also gained new customers, growing from 56.6 million in December 2024 to 57.6 million in January 2025. Globacom, which had previously lost subscribers due to regulatory audits, also saw a slight increase, rising from 20.1 million users to 20.5 million.

However, 9mobile continued to struggle, with its subscriber base remaining at 3.2 million for the third consecutive month. “The company needs to rethink its strategy and improve its service quality and pricing to remain competitive in the market,” said an industry analyst.

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