Telcos hit 200m subscriber base after 70m SIM purge

…Millions of Nigerians still digitally excluded

Nearly two years after the federal government’s National Identification Number (NIN)-SIM verification exercise forced the disconnection of about 70 million telephone lines, Nigeria’s telecommunications industry has not only recovered from the purge, it has hit a 200-million active subscriber milestone.

However, while the recovery signals renewed growth in the telecommunications market, millions still remain digitally excluded.

The gap between active telephone connections and internet subscriptions highlights the continuing challenge of expanding meaningful digital access across the country.

Latest industry statistics from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) showed that active telephone subscriptions increased to 200.3 million in September 2026, from 197.4 million in August, representing an addition of 2.9 million connections within one month.

The milestone marked the first time the industry has crossed the 200 million threshold since the mass disconnections of 2024, which significantly reduced Nigeria’s active telephone lines.

Before the enforcement exercise, the country had 224.7 million active telephone lines in December 2023. However, the figure plunged to 154.9 million by September 2024 after operators deactivated millions of SIM cards that failed to meet the government’s NIN-linkage requirements.

The recovery suggested that operators have gradually rebuilt their subscriber bases through new SIM activations, subscriber reactivations and growing demand for mobile connectivity.

Yet, the latest figures also revealed that restoring telephone connections does not automatically translate into universal internet access.

While the country recorded 200.3 million active telephone connections in September, internet subscriptions stood at 160.9 million, up from 158.5 million in August.

The difference highlighted the distinction between active mobile connections and internet subscriptions, raising questions about how effectively the country’s expanding telecommunications infrastructure is translating into broader digital participation.

Mobile network operators accounted for approximately 160.4 million of the internet subscriptions recorded during the period, underscoring the importance of mobile connectivity to Nigeria’s digital economy.

MTN Nigeria maintained its lead with 86.5 million internet subscribers, followed by Airtel with 57.2 million. Globacom accounted for 15.9 million, while T2mobile recorded 810,010.

The figures also revealed the concentration of Nigeria’s internet market among a few major operators, with MTN and Airtel controlling the bulk of mobile internet subscriptions.

Beyond subscription numbers, affordability and network quality remained important considerations in determining whether Nigerians can access and use digital services consistently.

For millions of low-income households, the cost of internet-enabled smartphones and regular data subscriptions can restrict access, even where telecommunications coverage is available.

In rural communities, inadequate infrastructure and inconsistent network quality can further limit the ability of residents to benefit from digital services.

The challenge is becoming more significant as internet connectivity increasingly determines access to financial services, education, healthcare, commerce and employment opportunities.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s data consumption remains substantial, reflecting the growing dependence on mobile internet for everyday activities.

Total data consumption stood at 1.731 million terabytes in September, compared with 1.756 million terabytes in August. Despite the slight moderation, September recorded the second-highest monthly consumption level.

The figures reflected growing demand for video streaming, social media, digital payments, online entertainment and other bandwidth-intensive services.

The transition towards faster network technologies is also gathering momentum, although adoption remains relatively slow.

The NCC’s September statistics showed that 5G market share increased to 5.05 per cent from 4.92 per cent in August, crossing the five per cent threshold for the first time since the commission began tracking the technology in May 2023.

In contrast, 3G market share declined to 4.16 per cent from 4.27 per cent, indicating a gradual transition towards newer mobile network technologies.

Despite the progress, the relatively low 5G market share highlights the gap between infrastructure deployment and widespread consumer adoption.

The affordability of compatible smartphones, availability of network coverage and the cost of accessing high-speed services will influence how quickly Nigerians benefit from the technology.

Telecommunications operators are investing in infrastructure to improve network quality and accommodate rising data demand.

Airtel Nigeria’s Chief Executive Officer, Dinesh Balsingh, disclosed during the company’s Open Network launch that the operator had deployed more than 1,000 5G telecom towers in 2026 as part of its investment drive.

MTN has also continued investing in network infrastructure to improve connectivity and accommodate increasing data traffic.

However, expanding infrastructure alone may not resolve the country’s digital access challenges without addressing the economic barriers that prevent many Nigerians from using internet services consistently.

For the country, the recovery to 200 million active telephone lines represents an important milestone following the NIN-SIM disconnection exercise. But the next phase of telecommunications growth must go beyond rebuilding subscriber numbers.

Expanding affordable broadband, improving rural connectivity, making internet-enabled devices more accessible and strengthening digital literacy will be critical to ensuring that more Nigerians can participate meaningfully in the digital economy.

Ultimately, the success of Nigeria’s telecommunications recovery will not be measured only by how many active SIM cards operators register, but by how many people can affordably and reliably access the internet to improve their livelihoods, access essential services and participate in the country’s growing digital economy.