9mobile lost more than 110,000 users porting to other providers in 47 months, with the largest outflow exceeding 5,000 users between July 2024 and April 2025

Key Takeaways:

  • September 2024 saw the most outbound departures (7,127), followed by January 2025 (6,716 losses).
  • From June 2021 to April 2025, the network saw a steady and increasing loss of consumers to other suppliers.
  • The outflow has accelerated considerably since mid-2023, showing growing subscriber dissatisfaction or more appealing options.
  • The largest monthly outflows occurred between July 2024 and April 2025, when more than 5,000 subscribers left on a consistent monthly basis.
  • Early 2021 numbers were extremely low, with only 323 ports in June and July 2021.
  • The number of subscribers transferring out decreased dramatically between September 2024 and December 2024, before peaking again in January 2025.
  • Monthly port-outs rose from 323 in June 2021 to 7,127 in September 2024, an approximately 2,107% increase.

9mobile had a steady increase in the number of users departing the network between 2021 and April 2025. Starting with 323 outgoing ports in mid-2021, the numbers increased gradually until early 2023, when they began to surge significantly.

By the second half of 2024, this trend had accelerated. September 2024 saw the largest single-month outflow, with 7,127 members migrating to rival networks. This was followed closely by January 2025, with 6,716 customer exits. Throughout this time, monthly port-out figures routinely surpassed 5,000.

The volume and consistency of 9mobile's port-out rates most likely reflect service quality, customer experience, pricing, or network coverage.

Source:

Nigerian Communications Commission

Period:

June 2021 - April 2025
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In 2025, 9mobile only added 1-3 new members each month through porting, compared to a peak of 324 in 2022, representing an almost 100% reduction
Key Takeaways:
  • In June 2022, 9mobile recorded a peak of 324 port-ins.
  • The lowest port-in figure during the period was recorded in February 2025, with only one subscriber.
  • In June 2021, 9mobile received 191 new ported-in users, which decreased to 3 by April 2025.
  • Monthly port-in numbers have been progressively dropping, from a three-digit to a single-digit level by 2025.
  • A slight recovery was observed in May 2024 (226), but it was not sustained.
  • By early 2025, port-ins dropped to as low as 1-3 per month.
  • This trend is consistent with a sharp decline in its subscriber base.
  • Compared to other service providers, 9mobile has struggled to attract and maintain switching clients.
As of 2025, MTN and Airtel jointly control over 85% of the market share, whereas Globacom controls 12%, and 9mobile has control over less than 2% of the market
Key takeaways:
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  • Globacom maintained stability until 2023, then saw a dramatic fall from 27% to 12% by December 2024.
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9mobile's subscriber base declined from a peak of 23.5 million in September 2015 to less than 3 million by April 2025, representing an 87.4% loss
Key takeaways:
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On average, over 75% of subscribers that switched networks ported from 9mobile, peaking at over 90% in September 2024
Key Takeaways:
  • 9mobile consistently tops the port-out chart, averaging over 75% of all outgoing ports over 24 months.
  • The highest subscriber loss from 9mobile occurred in September 2024, with 90.38% of all ports.
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  • The highest port transfer to another provider occurred in September 2024, with 7,886 total departures, and 9mobile recording 7,127 losses (90.38%).
  • Globacom’s outflow increased sharply from the July 2023 low, reaching 18.16% in April 2025.
  • Airtel maintained relatively low but fluctuating port-out rates, hitting its highest at 14.61% in October 2023.
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