Nigerian Telcos Lost 10m Subscribers In 2017

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has announced that Nigeria’s vibrant telecommunications sector ended last year with 145 million active subscribers, after losing 10 million customers. This is a 7% drop in the number of subscribers.

This is even as some 40 million populace, which resides in about 205 communities across Nigeria still lack access to basic telephony services.

Analysis of the statistics showed that the industry started the year with 155 million subscriptions and 110 percent teledensity, but within the 12 months period, so many subscribers dropped their telephone lines.

NCC’s Executive Commissioner, Stakeholders Management (ECSM), Sunday Dare, blamed the drop in mobile subscriptions in the country on the economic recession witnessed in the major part of 2017, with little or no disposable income for the populace to use.

The NCC statistics showed that MTN still controlled the market and finished the year with 36. 2 percent market share and 51.4million subscribers. It is followed by Globacom with 37 million subscribers and 26.4 percent market share. Airtel now controlled 25. 3 percent of the market with 35.9 million subscribers. 9mobile has 12.03 percent market share with 17 million subscribers.