9mobile, Nigeria’s fourth-largest mobile network operator, continues to experience a sharp decline in its subscriber base, with 6,079 customers leaving for rival networks over November and December 2024.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) detailed these losses in its recent report on the Incoming and Outgoing Porting Activities of Mobile Network Operators. The report highlighted that out of 2,998 total porting activities in December, 2,188 subscribers exited 9mobile. November saw an even higher exodus, with 3,891 of the 4,726 porting activities resulting in subscribers leaving 9mobile.
While 9mobile struggled, other operators experienced relatively minor losses. In December, MTN lost 236 customers, Airtel had 269 outgoing porting activities, and Globacom saw 305 subscribers depart. Meanwhile, MTN gained 1,856 new subscribers, Airtel welcomed 835, and Globacom added 290. In stark contrast, 9mobile attracted only 17 new customers.
The NCC report also indicated a reduction in overall porting activities, with November recording 4,726 events compared to December’s 2,998, marking a drop of 1,728 activities.
9mobile’s market share plummeted to 1.9% in December 2024, a dramatic decline from its peak in 2015 when it held 23.4 million subscribers and a 15.7% share. For two consecutive months, 9mobile’s subscriber base stagnated at 3.2 million.
Meanwhile, MTN solidified its dominance, increasing its market share to 51% with 84.6 million subscribers in December, up from 81.2 million in November. Airtel expanded from 55.4 million to 56.6 million subscribers, and Globacom rebounded from 19.6 million to 20.1 million subscribers after earlier losses due to a regulatory audit.
The NCC’s findings highlight the competitive pressures within Nigeria’s telecommunications sector, as 9mobile faces the challenge of reversing its declining trajectory amidst the growth of its rivals.
Credit: NAN (Text Excluding Headline)
