The latest data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) shows a clear trend in Nigeria’s telecom space, MTN is winning big on customer migration, while 9mobile is struggling to keep its users. Over the past year, MTN consistently topped the inward porting chart, meaning more people moved their numbers to MTN in search of better service. Airtel followed as a distant second, while 9mobile had the least number of people switching in. The stats show a growing confidence in MTN’s network quality, while others are playing catch-up.
Mobile Number Portability (MNP), which allows users to switch networks while keeping their original numbers, is clearly being used as a tool for consumers to seek better service quality. The policy, which mandates a 90-day minimum stay on any new network, hasn’t deterred users from switching in droves—especially towards MTN. From January 2024 to January 2025, MTN led the pack with thousands of port-ins each month, peaking at over 5,500 in January 2025 alone. Airtel also saw steady growth, especially in the latter months of the year.
On the flip side, 9mobile faced a concerning outflow. It consistently ranked as the network with the highest number of subscribers porting out. In nearly every month reviewed, a large majority of the total outward porting came from 9mobile’s subscriber base. For instance, in September 2024, over 7,100 of the 7,800+ outward porting users left 9mobile, a signal that many users were simply fed up with the service. Even at its lowest monthly figures, 9mobile still accounted for the bulk of users jumping ship.
These figures paint a clear picture of user satisfaction and loyalty trends in Nigeria’s telecom space. MTN’s strong network and presumably better customer experience are pulling in users from other networks. Meanwhile, 9mobile’s struggles are reflected in the high churn rate, suggesting a need for urgent upgrades in both service quality and customer retention strategies. If the trends continue, the gap in market perception between these telecom providers may widen even further.
Source: Thisday