9mobile’s Fading Footprint: Only One in 100 Nigerians Opts for Its Internet Service
Nigeria’s dynamic internet landscape, a sector vibrant with competition, reveals a concerning trend for one of its once-dominant players. 9mobile, formerly a significant force in the nation’s telecom arena, now commands a mere fraction of the internet subscriber market. Shockingly, with over 141 million internet users across Nigeria, only about one in every hundred chooses 9mobile for their data needs, holding just over 1% of the total market share. This dramatic decline poses critical questions about the operator’s long-term sustainability in an industry where digital connectivity is no longer a luxury but the fundamental engine of growth for telecommunication companies.
The Steep Decline and Its Drivers
The trajectory of 9mobile’s internet subscriber base paints a stark picture of its diminishing influence. From a peak of 15.5 million internet subscribers recorded in September 2015, the telco’s numbers have plummeted drastically to 1.45 million as of May 2025, according to official data released by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). This sharp reduction has occurred precisely when internet services have become the primary revenue stream and growth catalyst for network providers. While competitors like MTN and Airtel have strategically invested heavily in expanding their reach, acquiring crucial spectrum, and upgrading to 4G and 5G technologies to solidify their market leadership, 9mobile has conspicuously lagged. The company has grappled with extensive infrastructure gaps, a high volume of complaints regarding its network quality, and a prolonged period marked by stagnant innovation, all contributing to its current predicament.
Now, in a pivotal attempt to reverse its fortunes and regain some relevance in the competitive Nigerian telecom space, 9mobile is banking on a national roaming agreement with MTN Nigeria. This strategic alliance represents a significant gamble for the struggling operator, aiming to leverage MTN’s extensive network coverage to enhance its own service offerings and potentially stem the exodus of its remaining subscriber base. The success of this collaboration will largely determine 9mobile’s future presence and ability to compete effectively in Nigeria’s data-driven market.
Keywords
Related Keywords: 9mobile internet users Nigeria, 9mobile market share Nigeria, Nigeria telecom industry data, 9mobile subscriber count Nigeria, Nigerian internet penetration by network, 9mobile usage statistics Nigeria, Mobile internet users Nigeria, Telecom market share Nigeria, Low 9mobile usage Nigeria, 9mobile network Nigeria
