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Nigeria’s mobile telecommunications market has recovered to its strongest level in more than two years, with total active subscriptions across the country’s four major operators rising to 189.4 million in May, latest industry data from the Nigerian Communications Commission has shown.

The May figure represents the highest subscriber level recorded since April 2024, when the combined mobile database stood at 216.6 million, following a period of significant declines triggered by regulatory efforts to clean up inactive and improperly registered SIM cards.

The recovery was driven largely by growth recorded by the country’s leading operators, with MTN Nigeria maintaining its dominance of the market. The largest network operator in Nigeria closed May with 96.9 million active subscriptions, accounting for 51.19 per cent of the total mobile market.

Airtel Nigeria, the second-largest operator, recorded 65.4 million active subscriptions during the period, representing 34.55 per cent market share.

Globacom, Nigeria’s third-largest telecom operator, had 23.4 million active subscriptions, equivalent to 12.39 per cent of the market, while T2, formerly known as 9mobile, remained the smallest operator with 3.5 million subscriptions.

The latest data highlights the gradual recovery of Nigeria’s telecom sector after a challenging period marked by subscriber losses arising from SIM registration compliance exercises and restrictions on unverified lines.

Despite the overall industry recovery, competition among operators remains uneven, with MTN continuing to widen its lead over rivals.

T2, which rebranded from 9mobile about a year ago as part of efforts to reposition the business, has struggled to significantly expand its customer base. The operator has remained within the three million subscription range since September 2025.

The company, which once had more than 22 million subscribers, has faced persistent challenges, including network investment pressures and customer retention issues, despite an infrastructure-sharing agreement signed with MTN in July 2025.

The recovery in subscriber numbers comes as telecom operators continue to invest in network expansion, data infrastructure, and digital services to meet rising demand for connectivity.

With mobile subscriptions serving as a key indicator of Nigeria’s digital economy growth, industry analysts say sustained growth will depend on operators’ ability to improve service quality, expand coverage, and manage rising operational costs.

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Dangote Industries Limited and Sinoma International Engineering Co. Ltd have signed a Memorandum of Understanding valued at over $800m to expand the Dangote Cement Plant in Itori, Ogun State, doubling its production capacity from six million to 12 million metric tonnes per annum.

According to a statement on Sunday, the agreement, signed by the President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, and the Chairman of Sinoma, Lin Zhong, is expected to enable Dangote Cement to meet growing domestic demand while substantially increasing its export capacity.

The expansion is also expected to strengthen Nigeria’s position as a leading cement-producing nation and expand the country’s footprint in regional and international cement markets.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Dangote described the project as a major milestone in the company’s long-term growth strategy and its commitment to supporting Nigeria’s industrialisation agenda.

While thanking President Bola Tinubu for providing an enabling environment for businesses to thrive, he attributed the decision to expand the capacity of the Itori cement plant to the country’s renewed drive towards using concrete for road construction and the company’s plan to export to other African countries, in line with its Vision 2030 target of producing between 90 million and 100 million metric tonnes per annum.

According to him, the expansion will not only boost production capacity but also enhance the company’s ability to serve key export markets, generate foreign exchange earnings, create employment opportunities, and contribute to economic growth across the continent.

Dangote noted that the partnership with Sinoma had been instrumental in the successful delivery of several world-class cement manufacturing facilities and that the new investment further demonstrated confidence in Nigeria’s economic potential and the future of Africa’s manufacturing sector.

Speaking after the signing ceremony, Aliko Dangote said, “This $800m investment represents another bold step in our commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s industrial base and reinforcing our leadership in Africa’s cement industry. The expansion of our Itori plant to 12 million from 6 million metric tonnes per annum will not only enhance our ability to meet growing domestic demand but also significantly increase our export capacity, thereby generating valuable foreign exchange for the country. This project reflects our unwavering confidence in the Nigerian economy and our determination to contribute meaningfully to economic growth, job creation, and regional trade across Africa.”

In the same vein, the Chairman of Sinoma described the agreement as a significant milestone in the partnership between the two companies.

“We are honoured to deepen our collaboration with Dangote Group through this landmark expansion project. Over the years, our partnership has produced some of the most modern and efficient cement manufacturing facilities in Africa, and this new investment further demonstrates our shared commitment to industrial excellence.

“The expansion of the Itori plant will not only increase production capacity but also enhance Nigeria’s position as a strategic manufacturing and export hub for the African continent. Sinoma will deploy its world-class engineering expertise, advanced technology, and global experience to ensure the successful delivery of this project to the highest standards.”

He added that the project reflected growing international confidence in Nigeria’s industrial sector and underscored the critical role of strong strategic partnerships in driving economic growth, infrastructure development, and sustainable industrialisation across Africa.

Upon completion, the expanded facility will serve as a major production and export hub, supplying high-quality cement to both domestic and international markets while further advancing Nigeria’s ambitions as an industrial and manufacturing powerhouse.

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Cooking gas prices have reduced in Abuja and nearby cities over the past three weeks, with some outlets selling LPG for as low as ₦1,300 per kilogramme.

Checks showed Ranoil, Shafa and AP Ardova now sell LPG at ₦1,350, ₦1,300 and ₦1,400 per kilogramme, down from ₦1,450 to ₦1,500.

NMDPRA data showed LPG imports jumped 1,400 per cent to 1.5 kilotonnes per day in June 2026, matching the drop to ₦997-₦1,030 at depots.

The price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), popularly known as cooking gas, has continued to decline in parts of Nigeria over the past three weeks.

A recent market survey by journalists showed that the price of a kilogramme of cooking gas had dropped to as low as ₦1,300 in Abuja and its environs, depending on the location.

The latest price represents a reduction from the ₦1,450 previously recorded in some areas.

Checks at some filling stations in Abuja showed that Ranoil, Shafa and AP Ardova now sell LPG at ₦1,350, ₦1,300 and ₦1,400 per kilogramme, respectively.

The prices are lower than the ₦1,450 to ₦1,500 per kilogramme previously recorded at the outlets.

The decline has also been recorded at the depot level, with depot owners now selling LPG for between ₦997 and ₦1,030 per kilogramme.

This is a reduction from prices that had risen to as high as ₦1,100 per kilogramme.

Cooking gas retailers in some parts of the Federal Capital Territory have also reduced their prices.

Most retailers in Dawaki, Kubwa, Gwarimpa and Lugbe now sell LPG at about ₦1,500 per kilogramme.

The price is down from around ₦1,700 per kilogramme previously recorded in the areas.

The reduction in the price of cooking gas comes amid a significant increase in LPG imports into the country.

Data from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) showed that LPG imports increased significantly in June 2026.

According to the data, LPG imports rose by 1,400 per cent to 1.5 kilotonnes per day in June.

The increase in supply has coincided with the recent decline in cooking gas prices recorded across parts of the country.