Nigeria’s active mobile subscriptions rose to 195.1 million in July 2026, as the country’s telecommunications industry continued its recovery, according to the latest statistics from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
The figure represents an increase of about 2.88 million subscriptions from the 192.23 million recorded across mobile networks in June. The latest data also puts Nigeria’s telecommunications teledensity at approximately 90 per cent.
A major development in the latest figures was MTN Nigeria’s crossing of the 100 million subscriber milestone. The operator recorded 100,859,587 active subscriptions in July, making it the first telecommunications company in Nigeria to surpass 100 million subscribers since the introduction of GSM services in 2001.
MTN accounted for 51.76 per cent of the country’s mobile market, maintaining its position as the largest operator.
Airtel followed with 66,760,297 subscribers, representing a 34.26 per cent market share. Globacom recorded 23,628,966 subscriptions, accounting for 12.13 per cent, while T2 had 3,613,811 subscribers and a 1.85 per cent market share.
MTN’s July figure also represented a significant monthly increase from the 98,643,681 subscriptions it recorded in June. Airtel similarly increased its subscriber base from 66,121,645 to 66,760,297 during the period.
The recovery in mobile subscriptions follows a period of decline associated with the enforcement of the National Identification Number (NIN)-Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) linkage requirements.
Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Gbenga Adebayo, attributed the latest growth in subscriptions partly to stable regulatory policies by the NCC.
With the country now approaching the 200 million active-subscription threshold, the latest figures highlight the continuing importance of mobile telecommunications to Nigeria’s digital economy, connectivity and social activities.
Nigeria’s Telecommunication Subscribers Rises to 195m as MTN Crosses 100m Mark
