Nigeria’s mobile telecommunications sector continued its recovery in August, with active mobile subscriptions rising to 171.3 million, driven primarily by gains at Airtel and MTN. According to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Market Data Reports, this rebound follows a July dip, when the industry shed over one million subscriptions.
Market share breakdown
The NCC’s latest industry statistics show MTN retained market leadership with a 52.31% share, while Airtel followed with 33.89%. Globacom held 12.21%, and T2 (formerly 9mobile) accounted for 1.59%. In absolute numbers, MTN added 499,540 users to reach 89.6 million, while Airtel led net additions with 1.5 million, taking its base to 58 million.
Subscriber growth
Airtel’s strong performance reflects competitive pricing and ongoing network expansion, especially in urban centres where data consumption is rising. MTN maintained dominance despite Airtel’s momentum; its near 0.5 million net adds in August demonstrate continued resilience.
Other operators
Globacom added 173,244 new activations in August, bringing total connections to 20.9 million. T2 (formerly 9mobile) was flat month-on-month at 2.7 million active subscriptions, following a July rebound. Its recent infrastructure-sharing deal with MTN and renewed vendor partnerships (e.g., Huawei) aim to modernise its network.
Teledensity and internet usage
Rising subscriptions lifted teledensity—active telephone lines per 100 inhabitants—to 79.14% in August, up from 78.11% in July (population estimate: 216 million). Internet usage also grew, with total traffic climbing to 1,152,347.24 TB in August from 1,131,255.90 TB in July.
Implications and outlook
The August rebound underscores the sector’s resilience and growth potential. To sustain momentum, operators should expand coverage, accelerate network modernisation, and deliver innovative, data-centric services that match evolving consumer needs. With accelerating digital adoption, Nigeria’s telecoms industry is well positioned for further growth.
Conclusion
Growth in mobile subscriptions—led by Airtel and MTN—highlights the industry’s durability and opportunity. Operators that adapt quickly to shifting demand and technology will remain competitive. With the right investments and policy support, Nigeria’s telecommunications sector can continue to power economic growth and digital inclusion.
