Lagos, Ogun, Kano Lead Nigeria's Mobile Market with 23% of Total Subscriptions

• Nigeria has witnessed a significant increase in the number of Nigerian internet subscribers in the first quarter of 2024
• The NBS revealed that the total number of active mobile subscriptions across the country was 219.3 million at the end of Q1
• Lagos, the nation's commercial hub, retained its top position with 25.9 million active mobile subscriptions

Legit.ng journalist Zainab Iwayemi has over three years of experience covering the Economy, Technology, and Capital Market.

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has released new telecommunications data indicating that Lagos, Ogun, and Kano collectively contributed 23% of Nigeria's total active mobile subscriptions in the first quarter of 2024.

Legit.ng had earlier reported that Nigeria's internet user population rose to 163.8 million as of December 2023.

However, the new report shows that the total number of active mobile subscriptions across the country was 219.3 million at the end of Q1, reflecting a 3.3% decrease from the 226.1 million recorded in the same period in 2023.

Read also

CBN sells dollar at N1,580 to BDC operators, sets resale exchange rate

Together, these three states accounted for 50.5 million active mobile lines, making them the top contributors in terms of mobile subscriptions.

Lagos leads in number of subscriptions

The NBS report revealed that Lagos, the nation's commercial hub, retained its top position with 25.9 million active mobile subscriptions by the end of Q1 2024.

Ogun ranked second with 12.6 million subscriptions, while Kano secured third place with 11.9 million.

Conversely, Bayelsa had the lowest number of active mobile subscriptions at 1.6 million, followed by Ebonyi with 1.8 million and Ekiti with 1.9 million.

Nigeria holds one of the highest internet penetration rates in Africa, with 51% of the population having access.

As the largest mobile market on the continent, the country is home to a young, dynamic population, many of whom are entering the age of mobile subscription eligibility.

Read also

Interest rate: CBN calls for important meeting as Naira woes, fuel price raises concerns

MTN leads as the top mobile service provider, followed by Globacom, Airtel, and 9Mobile.

Subscribers protest move to increase call, data tariff

In related news, Legit.ng reported that telecom users have protested against telecom providers' demands to raise service fees.

Speaking under the auspices of the Association of Telephones, Cable TV, and Internet Subscribers (ATCIS), the group urged the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to reject telecom operators' demand for a tariff increase.

They argue that implementing a tariff increase would further strain subscribers and hinder the telecom industry's expansion.

Proofreading by Nkem Ikeke, journalist and copy editor at Legit.ng.

Source: Legit.ng