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.
