NCC Data Shows Nigeria Gains 13m New Lines, Active Subscriptions Reach 182.2m

 NCC Data Shows Nigeria Gains 13m New Lines, Active Subscriptions Reach 182.2m

Nigeria’s telecoms industry recorded strong year-on-year growth, with active mobile lines rising to 182.2 million as of January 2026, according to fresh figures released by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

The latest data shows that the country gained roughly 13 million new subscriptions over a 12-month period, up from 169.3 million recorded in January 2025, reflecting sustained expansion in access to mobile services.

Teledensity also improved significantly, climbing to 84.06 per cent from 78.10 per cent a year earlier, an indication that telecommunications services are reaching a broader segment of the population.

MTN leads as competition intensifies

In terms of market share, MTN Nigeria maintained its position as the industry leader with 94.2 million subscribers, representing over half of the total market.

Airtel Nigeria remained in second place with 62.04 million users, accounting for 34.09 per cent, while Globacom followed with 22.46 million subscribers, capturing 12.34 per cent.

9mobile continued to trail the market with 3.26 million subscribers, representing a 1.79 per cent share.

Broadband adoption accelerates

The NCC report highlighted a steady transition toward faster network technologies. Fourth-generation (4G) services now dominate the market, accounting for 53.41 per cent of total subscriptions, up from 47.23 per cent recorded in January 2025.

Fifth-generation (5G) services are also gaining ground, with adoption increasing to 3.94 per cent from 2.54 per cent within the same period, reflecting gradual but growing acceptance of next-generation connectivity.

Meanwhile, older technologies are steadily being phased out. Usage of 2G networks declined to 36.97 per cent from 41.63 per cent, while 3G subscriptions dropped to 5.67 per cent from 8.60 per cent year-on-year.

Rising internet penetration and data demand

Internet subscriptions rose to 151.6 million in January 2026, compared to 141.7 million in January 2025, pointing to increased online participation among Nigerians.

Data usage also surged sharply during the period, with total consumption reaching 1,385,536.04 terabytes, up from 1,000,930.60 terabytes recorded a year earlier.

The growth has been attributed to increased demand for digital services, including streaming platforms, social networking, and remote work solutions, as well as continued investment in network infrastructure.

Sector drives digital economy

Analysts say the upward trend in subscriptions and data usage underscores the critical role of telecommunications in Nigeria’s digital evolution.

With expanding broadband infrastructure and rising adoption of high-speed networks, the sector is expected to remain a key enabler of economic growth, innovation, and digital inclusion across the country.