Nigeria’s internet subscriber base shrinks by 24.6 million

Nigeria’s internet space is shifting, but not in the way many expected. Over the past year, the country lost 24.6 million internet subscribers, with active users falling from 163.8 million in December 2023 to 139.2 million by December 2024, according to NCC data. This 26.6% drop—one of the largest in recent years—comes at a time when digital connectivity is more essential than ever.

At first glance, it looks like Nigeria is taking a back seat in internet penetration, but the real story is more complex. The decline is largely tied to regulatory enforcement, specifically the NCC’s ongoing SIM verification drive, which required users to link their phone numbers to a National Identification Number (NIN). This crackdown led to mass deactivations, echoing Q3 2024's broader telecom subscriber loss when Globacom alone saw a 69% drop in its user base. A major operator also revised its subscriber count, removing inflated figures that had previously overstated the market size.

Yet, even as fewer people remain connected, mobile data consumption was at an all-time high. Nigerians used 973,455 terabytes of data in 2024—a sharp jump from 713,200 terabytes the previous year. Broadband penetration also nudged up to 44.43% in December 2024, with more users shifting to 4G (47.3%) as it overtook 2G (41.5%), 3G, (8.75%), and 5G (2.46%). This suggests that those still online aren’t just staying connected—they’re consuming more data, likely driven by video streaming, remote work, and Nigeria’s growing digital economy.

Meanwhile, MTN continued to dominate, holding 51.39% of the market in December 2024, while Airtel followed with 34.3%. But the same can’t be said for Globacom and 9mobile, which hold 12.2% and 1.9%, respectively. With rising connectivity costs—especially after the NCC’s recent 50% tariff hike—Nigeria’s internet ecosystem may be shifting from one of sheer volume to one where cost, quality, and regulation could shape who stays connected.

The bigger question now isn’t just about lost subscribers. With the country still far from its 70% broadband penetration target for 2025, can Nigeria expand internet access without pushing millions further into digital exclusion?