NIGERIA’S TELECOM MARKET GAINS 44.8 MILLION ACTIVE LINES OVER A DECADE

Nigeria’s telecommunications industry has added 44.85 million active subscriptions in the last 10 years, reflecting the continued expansion of mobile connectivity across the country despite major disruptions during the period. Data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) showed that active subscriptions increased from 150.26 million in July 2016 to 195.11 million in July 2026, representing a 29.8 per cent increase over the decade. The figures highlight the growing importance of mobile communications to Nigerians, with telecom services now playing a major role in communication, business, digital payments, education and access to online services.

The industry, however, did not record steady growth throughout the period, as the number of active lines experienced several increases and declines. After falling from 150.26 million in July 2016 to 139.14 million a year later, subscriptions rebounded strongly, reaching 161.79 million in July 2018 and 179.18 million in July 2019. The market continued to expand to 199.31 million in July 2020, before experiencing another decline in 2021. Growth resumed in 2022, when subscriptions climbed to 208.97 million, and by July 2023 the figure had reached a record 220.72 million, the highest July level recorded in the 10-year period.

The biggest setback came in 2024 following intensified enforcement of the National Identification Number-SIM linkage requirements. The policy led to the disconnection of millions of mobile lines that had not met the required identity-verification conditions, causing active subscriptions to fall by 54.06 million, or 24.5 per cent, from 220.72 million in July 2023 to 166.66 million in July 2024. The market then began a gradual recovery, adding 2.67 million lines between July 2024 and July 2025 to reach 169.33 million, before recording a much stronger rebound in the following year.

By July 2026, active subscriptions had increased by 25.78 million, or 15.2 per cent, from the previous year's figure to reach 195.11 million. This means the industry has recovered about 28.45 million subscriptions from its July 2024 low, although it remains 25.61 million below the July 2023 peak. The sharp recovery over the past year suggests that mobile connectivity has continued to regain momentum as previously disconnected users return to the networks and demand for telecommunications services increases.

Despite the strong long-term growth, the latest figures show that Nigeria's telecom market has not yet returned to the record levels recorded before the NIN-SIM enforcement exercise. The decade-long increase nevertheless reflects the expanding role of telecommunications in the country's economy and everyday life. With mobile networks supporting internet access, digital financial services, social media, online businesses and other digital activities, further investment in network infrastructure and improved service quality is expected to remain important as operators work to accommodate Nigeria's growing demand for connectivity.