Nigeria Hits 185.7 Million Active Subscribers as Telcos Begin Compensation for Poor Network Services

Nigeria’s telecommunications sector has recorded another milestone, with active mobile subscriptions rising to 185.7 million in March 2026. This increase, driven by the activation and reactivation of about 1.11 million SIM cards, highlights the continued expansion of digital connectivity across the country, according to new data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

The NCC report also showed a slight rise in telephone density, which moved from 85.16 percent in February to 85.67 percent in March. Market leadership remains unchanged, with MTN Nigeria leading the pack at 95.7 million subscribers, representing 51.6 percent market share. Airtel follows with 63.6 million users (34.3 percent), while Globacom holds 22.6 million subscribers (12.2 percent). T2, formerly 9mobile, continues to trail with 3.47 million users, accounting for 1.88 percent of the market.

On the technology side, Nigeria’s data consumption has reached about four million terabytes in the first quarter of 2026, powered across 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G networks. However, 4G still dominates with 53.76 percent of total connections, while 2G accounts for 36.74 percent and 3G stands at 5.30 percent. Despite its promise, 5G adoption remains low at 4.2 percent, largely concentrated in major cities like Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt.

In a major shift for consumer protection, telecom operators have begun compensating subscribers for poor service under the Nigerian Communications Commission’s new Consumer Compensation Framework. This policy requires operators such as MTN, Airtel, Globacom, and 9mobile to issue automatic airtime credits to users affected by service disruptions between November 2025 and January 2026. Airtel has already started payouts, with customers receiving compensation ranging from under ₦1,000, while MTN has also begun issuing credits to affected users.

According to NCC Executive Vice Chairman Dr. Aminu Maida, the initiative marks a new era of accountability in the telecom sector. He explained that the compensation is not a regulator-issued refund but a compliance requirement placed on operators to restore value to subscribers impacted by poor service. To prevent future disruptions, telcos have also committed to major infrastructure upgrades, including about 12,000 network improvements in 2026 and over $1 billion in planned investments aimed at strengthening service quality nationwide.

source: The guardian