9mobile, one of Nigeria’s telecom operators, has experienced a significant drop in market share, now standing at 1.99% with 3.2 million subscribers. This decline is stark compared to its 2015 numbers when it held 23.4 million subscribers and a 15.7% market share under the name Etisalat Nigeria. In contrast, other operators like MTN Nigeria and Airtel have seen growth in their subscriber bases.
Despite being acquired by Light House Telecom in July 2024, 9mobile has not shown improvement in subscriber numbers. The lack of capital injection from the new owners has raised concerns about the company’s future. Industry experts emphasize the need for modernizing network infrastructure, enhancing customer acquisition strategies, and possibly adjusting prices to stay competitive. Without necessary funding, achieving these goals will be challenging.
The stagnation in 9mobile’s subscriber count reflects underlying issues such as network maintenance and customer retention. However, without adequate investments for improvements, the company risks falling further behind its rivals who are actively expanding their services.