Over 60,000 Nigerian telecom subscribers switched networks between October 2023 and October 2024, according to the Nigerian Communications Commission’s (NCC) Mobile Number Portability report. The data highlights growing dissatisfaction with service quality and intensified competition among providers. 9mobile led in customer losses, with significant outflows in September 2024. Globacom also recorded substantial losses despite its competitive data pricing, while MTN experienced varied subscriber retention challenges. Airtel demonstrated the strongest retention, losing the fewest subscribers and steadily attracting new users, reflecting confidence in its services.
Inbound porting trends showed Airtel and MTN as top choices for new subscribers. Airtel’s inbound porting rose significantly, while MTN maintained strong but slightly fluctuating performance. Globacom’s figures were inconsistent, with occasional peaks, and 9mobile attracted the fewest inbound subscribers, struggling to appeal to new customers. Industry analysts attribute these trends to factors like network reliability, competitive pricing, and robust customer service. The rise in porting activity underscores increasing customer demand for quality services and the pressure on operators to innovate and improve infrastructure.
Looking ahead, 2025 is expected to be pivotal as operators focus on balancing customer retention with acquisition strategies. Analysts highlight the growing need for regulatory support, including approval of tariff hikes, to enable providers to enhance services and mitigate financial losses. With customers becoming more discerning, the telecom sector faces a critical moment to address service quality concerns and maintain market competitiveness.