SUN MAY 10 2026-theGBJournal| Nigeria’s telecommunications sector continued its gradual recovery in March 2026, with active mobile subscriptions rising by 0.6% month-on-month to 185.72 million, up from 184.60 million recorded in February, according to data released by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
The latest increase extends the sector’s recovery trend following the disruptions caused by the National Identification Number (NIN)-SIM linkage exercise, which led to the deactivation of millions of SIM cards over the past few years.
The sustained rebound reflects ongoing efforts by telecom operators to reconnect previously barred lines, expand network reach, improve customer retention, and deepen subscriber penetration across the country.
The improvement also signals resilient consumer demand for mobile communication services despite prevailing macroeconomic pressures, including high inflation and declining household purchasing power.
Internet subscriptions also recorded steady growth during the month, increasing by 0.5% month-on-month to 153.82 million in March, compared to 153.13 million in February.
The continued rise in internet users highlights the growing dependence on digital connectivity for communication, financial services, entertainment, education, and business activities across Nigeria’s expanding digital economy.
On a year-on-year basis, the telecom sector posted even stronger growth figures.
Active telephony subscriptions increased by 7.5% from 172.71 million recorded in March 2025, while internet subscriptions rose by 8.3% from 142.05 million in the corresponding period last year.
The sustained expansion underscores the resilience of Nigeria’s telecom industry and reflects broader structural shifts toward digital adoption, increased smartphone penetration, and rising data consumption among consumers and businesses.
In terms of market positioning, MTN Nigeria maintained its leadership in the sector, accounting for 51.6% of total active telephony subscriptions. The operator’s subscriber base stood at 95.76 million during the month, reinforcing its dominance in Nigeria’s highly competitive telecom market.
Airtel Nigeria remained the second-largest operator with 63.63 million subscribers, representing 34.3% market share. The company continued to benefit from aggressive customer acquisition strategies, expanding data offerings, and sustained investment in network infrastructure.
Globacom ranked third with 22.64 million subscribers, equivalent to 12.2% market share, while T2 — formerly known as 9mobile — retained its position as the smallest operator with 3.48 million subscribers, accounting for 1.9% of total subscriptions.
Overall, the March data points to a steadily improving telecom landscape, with rising subscriber numbers and internet penetration reinforcing the sector’s critical role in supporting Nigeria’s digital transformation and broader economic activity.
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