By Abigail Philip David
The number of telecom subscribers switching operators in Nigeria surged by 190% in January 2025, with 8,708 users porting to different networks, compared to 2,998 in December 2024, according to data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
9mobile Records Highest Customer Losses
The report revealed that 9mobile experienced the highest customer losses, as 6,716 subscribers left the network. Once a strong player in the industry, the operator has struggled in recent years, with its subscriber base stagnating at 3.2 million for three consecutive months—a sharp decline from the 23.4 million it had in 2015 when it controlled 15.7% of the market.
Despite the increased number of subscribers porting, 9mobile managed to attract only seven new customers through mobile number portability in January.
MTN, Airtel, and Globacom Benefit from Porting Surge
The rise in porting reflects growing dissatisfaction with service quality, prompting many subscribers to seek better alternatives.
- MTN gained 5,551 new subscribers through porting while losing 1,188 to other networks.
- Airtel added 2,414 porting customers and lost 399 users.
- Globacom recorded 736 incoming subscribers but lost 405 to competitors.
Why Are Customers Switching?
The surge in porting has been linked to several factors, including:
- Poor network quality
- Competitive pricing from rival operators
- Better customer service experiences
Additionally, the enforcement of the National Identification Number (NIN)-SIM linkage in 2024 led to massive SIM disconnections, forcing many users to re-register and, in some cases, switch networks.
Telecom Sector Rebounds in January
Despite the increased porting activity, the Nigerian telecom sector showed signs of recovery in January 2025, with active mobile subscriptions rising 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 user base to 87.5 million.
- Airtel also experienced growth, increasing from 56.6 million users in December to 57.6 million in January.
- Globacom, which had previously lost customers due to regulatory audits, saw a slight increase, rising from 20.1 million users to 20.5 million.
- However, 9mobile’s struggles continued, with its subscriber base remaining stagnant at 3.2 million for the third consecutive month.
The sharp rise in mobile number portability highlights the increasing competition among telecom operators as Nigerians seek better service quality and affordability.
