Mobile number portability (MNP) in Nigeria experienced a significant increase of 190% in January 2025, with 8,708 subscribers switching networks compared to just 2,998 in December 2024, according to data released by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
The data highlighted that 9mobile, once a dominant player in Nigeria’s telecom market, recorded the highest customer losses, with 6,716 subscribers leaving for competitors. The network, which had a strong foothold in the industry, has seen a dramatic decline in its market share over the years. As of January 2025, its subscriber base remained stagnant at 3.2 million for the third consecutive month, a far cry from the 23.4 million subscribers it had in 2015 when it commanded 15.7% of the market. Despite the surge in porting activity, 9mobile only managed to attract seven new customers through porting in January.
This rise in mobile number portability is indicative of increasing dissatisfaction among subscribers regarding network quality and pricing, leading many to seek more competitive and reliable options.
MTN, Airtel, and Globacom emerged as the primary beneficiaries of the trend. MTN added 5,551 new customers through porting but also lost 1,188 to other networks. Airtel saw 2,414 new customers through porting while losing 399, and Globacom recorded 736 new subscribers, though it lost 405 in the same period.
The increase in porting activity is being driven by factors such as poor network quality, competitive pricing, and enhanced customer service offered by rival operators.
In related news, the Nigerian Communications Commission’s (NCC) enforcement of the National Identification Number (NIN)-SIM linkage led to large-scale SIM disconnections in 2024, which disrupted the market. Some affected users have now returned, opting to switch to different networks.
Meanwhile, the overall telecom sector experienced a rebound in January 2025, with active mobile subscriptions growing to 169.3 million, up from 164.9 million in December 2024. MTN, Nigeria’s largest telecom provider, added 2.9 million new subscribers, bringing its total base to 87.5 million. Airtel also saw an increase, growing from 56.6 million subscribers in December to 57.6 million in January. Globacom, which had faced a decline due to regulatory audits, managed to slightly increase its user base, rising from 20.1 million to 20.5 million subscribers.
Despite these gains for other operators, 9mobile continues to face challenges, with its subscriber base stuck at 3.2 million for the third month running.
