MTN and Airtel Lead Surge in Nigeria’s Mobile Subscribers as 4G Dominates Market

Consistent with Section 89, Subsection 3(d) of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003 (NCA 2003), the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC)  is mandated to monitor and report on the state of the telecommunications industry. This responsibility includes providing statistical analyses, identifying trends across services, tariffs, operators, technology, subscribers, competition, and market dominance, with a view to highlighting areas where regulatory intervention may be needed. To achieve this, the Commission regularly conducts studies and surveys and produces reports based on data submitted by licensed telecommunications operators, who are obligated under their license terms to provide such information on a regular basis for analysis and publication.

As of January 2026, the total number of active telephony subscribers in Nigeria reached 182.2 million, reflecting a steady growth from previous months. Teledensity, which measures the number of active telephone connections per 100 inhabitants, stood at 84.06 percent, indicating an increasing reach of telecommunication services nationwide. Historical trends from 2012 to 2025 show consistent growth in both subscriptions and teledensity, underscoring the expansion of the mobile market in the country.

The GSM market remained dominated by MTN with 94.2 million subscribers, representing 51.78 percent of the market, followed by Airtel with 62.0 million subscribers (34.09%), Globacom with 22.5 million (12.34%), and T2 with 3.3 million subscribers (1.79%). Mobile service adoption across generations shows that 4G remains the most widely used technology at 53.41 percent, followed by 2G at 36.97 percent, 3G at 5.67 percent, and 5G adoption gradually increasing to 3.94 percent, reflecting the country’s ongoing transition to faster networks.

Active internet subscribers across mobile, fixed wired, ISP, and VoIP services totaled 151.6 million by January 2026, with broadband subscriptions reaching 115.0 million, resulting in a broadband penetration rate of 53.07 percent. This demonstrates steady growth in both mobile and fixed internet services and highlights the increasing importance of broadband access for economic and social development.

Mobile number portability continued to support consumer choice and market competition, with subscribers transferring numbers between operators while retaining their phone numbers. This reflects the regulatory framework’s effectiveness in fostering competition and providing flexibility to consumers.

Overall, the Nigerian telecommunications sector continues to grow in subscriber numbers, internet usage, and broadband penetration, with increasing adoption of 4G and 5G services. Regular data reporting and monitoring by the NCC ensure informed regulatory decisions, support market development, and enhance national connectivity, positioning the country for further technological advancement and inclusive digital growth.