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Mobile market rebounds to highest level since 2024 – NCC

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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.

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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.

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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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Economy

UK Moves Against Chemical in Gel Nail Products Over Reproductive Health Concerns

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The United Kingdom has introduced new restrictions on a chemical commonly used in some gel nail polishes amid concerns over its potential impact on fertility and reproductive health.

The restriction targets trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide, commonly known as TPO, a photoinitiator that enables gel polish to harden when exposed to UV light and helps improve its durability and colour retention.

Under the new rules, which took effect on Saturday across England, Wales and Scotland, manufacturers are no longer permitted to place new TPO-containing cosmetic products on the UK market.

However, beauty salons have been given until February 14, 2027, to stop using existing products containing the chemical, meaning customers could still encounter TPO-based gel polishes during the transition period.

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The move follows concerns arising from animal studies that have linked TPO exposure to possible reproductive and fertility problems. The European Union introduced a similar prohibition in September 2025.

The restrictions have nevertheless attracted debate within the cosmetics industry. The Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumery Association has maintained that the concentration of TPO used in nail products is significantly lower than levels associated with harmful effects.

The UK decision is therefore expected to intensify discussions within the beauty industry over whether precautionary restrictions should take priority where potential reproductive risks remain under investigation.

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Economy

Nigerian Stock Market Crashes For 8th Straight Session As Investors Lose Whopping N5.45tn

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Investors in the Nigerian stock market recorded a cumulative loss of N5.45 trillion as the equities market extended its bearish run to an eighth consecutive session at the close of trading session on Thursday night, August 20..

Equities listed on the Nigerian Exchange Limited, NGX, have continued to experience significant declines since Tuesday, August 11, 2026 but last week, investors on the NGX lost N3.8 trillion in four consecutive bearish sessions.

From Monday to Thursday this week, stocks on the NGX have lost a total of N1.65 trillion meaning that the combined losses recorded over the last eight trading sessions amounted to N5.45 trillion, wiping out previous gains in the market.

The market extended its bearish run on Thursday as investors lost N440 billion, driven by continued profit-taking in large- and mid-cap stocks.

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Market capitalisation declined by 0.30 per cent, or N440 billion, from N155.417 trillion at the opening of trading to N154.977 trillion at the close.

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Economy

See Dollar to Naira exchange rate today August 21,2026

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The Naira yesterday depreciated to N1,405 per dollar in the parallel market from N1,400 per dollar on Wednesday.

But the naira appreciated to N1,347.5 per dollar in the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market, NFEM.

Data from the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, showed that the indicative exchange rate for the naira fell to N1,347.5 per dollar from N1,351 per dollar on Wednesday, indicating N3.5 appreciation for the naira.

Consequently, the margin between the parallel and official markets widened to N57.5 per dollar from N49 per dollar on Wednesday.

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The interbank turnover at NFEM rose by 0.22 percent to N371.8 million yesterday from N370.98 million the previous day.

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