Embattled telecom operator 9mobile continues to shed subscribers at an alarming rate, as regulatory delays stall a crucial national roaming deal with industry giant MTN Nigeria.
According to new data from the Nigerian Communications Commission, 9mobile lost 318,825 subscribers between February and March 2025, reducing its customer base to just 2.96 million.
The drop has further diminished the company’s market share from 1.9% in January to 1.72%, underscoring its steep decline from a once-prominent player in Nigeria’s telecom sector.
The proposed roaming deal with MTN—intended to grant 9mobile access to MTN’s wider infrastructure—has been viewed as a lifeline for the struggling operator. However, despite technical and commercial terms already being outlined, both companies are still awaiting regulatory approval from the NCC.
The NCC is expected to assess the partnership’s alignment with key national policies, including the Nigerian National Broadband Plan, and evaluate its potential to expand rural coverage, enhance infrastructure sharing, and improve network quality. The approval process, which typically spans six to twelve weeks, includes documentation review, technical analysis, and potential stakeholder consultations.
Sources familiar with the matter say regulatory caution stems from concerns over competitive balance. “The NCC is delaying because it knows the deal gives MTN a strategic edge,” a telecom executive told this paper on condition of anonymity. “Allowing MTN access to 9mobile’s spectrum could tilt the market in its favour.”
If approved, the roaming agreement would build on a successful 2020 pilot in Ondo State, where a three-month trial allowed subscribers from both networks to roam using shared infrastructure. The current proposal reportedly includes shared use of 9mobile’s 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, and 2100 MHz spectrum bands.
9mobile’s woes have been compounded by declining network quality, limited investment under its new owners, LightHouse Capital, and ongoing customer dissatisfaction. The company’s attempts at retention—including promotional offers and support campaigns—have done little to stem the exodus. Even porting services have been affected by poor network availability.
Once a major player with over 23 million subscribers as Etisalat Nigeria in 2015, 9mobile has now lost more than 20 million users in less than a decade. With its market position shrinking and the MTN deal hanging in the balance, analysts say time is running out for the operator to secure a path to recovery.
