Nigeria’s mobile telecommunications industry continued its upward trajectory in May 2026, with active mobile subscriptions across the country’s four major operators rising to an all-time high of 189.68 million, according to the latest industry statistics released by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
The figures show that total active subscriptions reached 189,675,650, translating to a teledensity of 87.50 per cent, meaning there were approximately 88 active telephone subscriptions for every 100 residents in the country.
The latest record also represents a significant increase from the 172.67 million subscriptions recorded in May 2025, highlighting sustained growth in mobile connectivity despite mounting concerns over the rising cost of telecommunications services.
The NCC data further showed that MTN Nigeria remained firmly in control of the market, moving closer to the symbolic milestone of 100 million active subscriptions. The operator closed the month with 96.9 million active lines, accounting for 51.19 per cent of the country’s mobile subscriber base, reinforcing its position as Nigeria’s largest telecommunications provider.
Airtel Nigeria retained its position as the second-largest operator with 65.4 million active subscriptions, representing 34.55 per cent market share.
Globacom maintained third place with 23.4 million active subscriptions, giving it a 12.39 per cent share of the market.
Meanwhile, T2, formerly known as 9mobile, remained a distant fourth despite its rebranding about a year ago. The operator recorded 3.5 million active subscriptions as of the end of May, underscoring the challenges it continues to face in rebuilding its market position.
The industry’s growth was equally reflected in internet usage. The NCC statistics showed that the number of internet subscribers rose to 157,405,351 in May, the highest monthly figure ever recorded in the country and surpassing every monthly record achieved in 2025.
Broadband subscriptions also continued their upward trend, reaching 121,643,718, reflecting increasing demand for high-speed internet services across homes, businesses and institutions.
The latest figures underscore Nigerians’ growing dependence on digital connectivity for work, education, financial transactions, entertainment and social interaction. Internet access has become an essential part of daily life, even as consumers continue to express frustration over the rising cost of mobile data and complaints about rapid data depletion.
Industry analysts say the steady increase in mobile and internet subscriptions demonstrates that demand for connectivity remains resilient despite inflationary pressures and higher telecom tariffs. For many Nigerians, staying connected has become a necessity rather than a luxury.
However, the rapid expansion in subscriber numbers is also placing increasing pressure on telecommunications operators to strengthen network capacity and improve service quality to keep pace with growing demand.
Recognising this challenge, the NCC recently disclosed that operators have committed to upgrading 12,000 telecommunications sites in 2026 as part of a nationwide effort to enhance network coverage and capacity.
Speaking on the initiative in April, Aminu Maida, the executive vice chairman of the NCC, said operators completed just over 3,000 site upgrades in 2025 but have significantly increased their infrastructure investment plans this year.
According to him, the upgrades will involve deploying additional spectrum on existing 4G sites while converting older 2G and 3G infrastructure to more advanced 4G and 5G technologies.
Maida noted that the pace of deployment already indicates the industry is on course to surpass last year’s infrastructure rollout, adding that the investments are expected to improve network performance and customer experience across the country.
He also highlighted the commission’s efforts to strengthen network capacity through spectrum management, revealing that the regulator has facilitated several spectrum trading arrangements among operators.
Describing spectrum as the “highway” through which telecommunications traffic moves, Maida explained that wider and higher-quality spectrum enables operators to carry more traffic efficiently, resulting in stronger network performance, improved coverage and better quality of service for subscribers.
The combination of record mobile subscriptions, rising internet adoption and increased infrastructure investments reflects the continued expansion of Nigeria’s digital economy, even as operators face growing expectations to deliver faster, more reliable and affordable connectivity to millions of users.
