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Nigeria’s internet subscribers reached 148.10 million in April 2022, marking the highest number in 14 months, according to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
The majority of these subscribers, 147.45 million, use mobile (GSM) networks, while the rest are on Fixed Wire and VoIP services. This surge follows a low point in July 2021 when active mobile internet users dropped to 139.38 million.
The decline in 2021 was partly due to the federal government’s suspension of new SIM sales and reactivations in December 2020. This policy was introduced to audit the subscriber database amid rising security concerns, including banditry and kidnapping. The restrictions slowed the telecom industry’s growth, affecting both subscriptions and revenue.
In April 2021, the government lifted the ban but required all new SIM registrations to be linked with a National Identification Number (NIN). A year later, in April 2022, telcos were instructed to block outgoing calls on SIMs not linked to NINs, further emphasizing the importance of this integration.
Despite these challenges, most mobile networks saw a rise in internet subscriptions in April 2022. MTN Nigeria added 1.1 million subscribers, Airtel gained 918,191, and Globacom increased by 331,360. However, 9mobile lost over 108,000 subscribers, recording its lowest figure ever.
This growth highlights the resilience of Nigeria’s telecom sector, despite regulatory challenges, as more Nigerians continue to rely on internet services.
