By Adedapo Adesanya

Active mobile subscriptions in Nigeria increased by 15.1 million or 8.7 per cent year-on-year to 188.0 million in April 2026 from 172.9 million in April 2025, according to the latest data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

On a month-on-month (MoM) basis, subscriptions grew by 2.3 million or 1.2 per cent from 185.7 million in March 2026, reflecting continued momentum in subscriber acquisition across the telecommunications sector.

The sustained growth in mobile subscriptions is largely attributable to the easing of key regulatory and operational challenges that previously constrained industry expansion.

Notably, improved compliance with SIM registration and National Identification Number (NIN) linkage requirements has facilitated the reactivation of previously deactivated SIM cards, contributing significantly to the increase in active subscriptions.

Furthermore, enhanced customer onboarding processes and more efficient SIM reactivation procedures implemented by network operators have further supported subscriber growth.

MTN Nigeria maintained its market leadership position, recording a net subscriber addition of 632,209, bringing its total to 96.4 million in April 2026, up from 95.8 million in March.

Trailing was Airtel Nigeria, which delivered the strongest growth among the major operators, adding approximately 1.0 million subscribers, bringing its customer base to 64.7 million from 63.6 million in the preceding month.

Globacom also sustained its recovery momentum, with its subscriber base expanding by 538,704 to 23.2 million from 22.6 million. Meanwhile, 9mobile (T2) recorded modest growth, increasing its subscriber base to 3.54 million from 3.48 million.

There are expectations that subscriber growth will continue as more Nigerians seek favourable rates when it comes to data and voice, while higher smartphone penetration, ongoing investments in 4G and 5G network infrastructure, and expanding broadband coverage continue.

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Friday, June 26, 2026, will provide an opportunity for some global experts in Public Relations reporting to analyse what need to change in the ecosystem.

The international panel of communications, media intelligence, and measurement professionals is being convened by P+ Measurement Services.

P+ Measurement Services is Nigeria’s leading independent media intelligence and PR measurement agency, helping organizations evaluate reputation, communication performance, and media impact through data-driven insights and globally recognized measurement standards.

At the virtual session themed Why Most PR Reports Fail: How Smarter Insights Can Change That, panellist will discuss how organisations can move beyond reporting outputs and activity metrics toward intelligence that supports business strategy, reputation management, and leadership decision-making.

The session will feature insights from Todd Murphy, Executive Director, Global Media Insights at Infoesearch and President of FIBEP; Paige Lingwood, Insights Consultant at CARMA; Tolulope Akin Aribisala, Managing Director of LSF PR; and Chidimma Ugbojiaku, Assistant Vice President, External and Government Relations, Brand and Corporate Communications.

Drawing from their experiences across communications, research, media intelligence, and stakeholder engagement, the speakers will share practical approaches to building reports that deliver relevance, context, and measurable value to organisations.

The event is open to communications professionals, public relations practitioners, corporate affairs leaders, media intelligence specialists, researchers, and executives seeking to strengthen the role of measurement in strategic decision-making.

A statement from the organisers disclosed that participation is free, but registration is required via https://bit.ly/4uL8tZf.

By Adedapo Adesanya

The National Pension Commission (PenCom) has directed treasury-funded Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to submit details of employees who retire before December 31, 2026, as part of preparations for the implementation of the federal government’s newly approved Exit Benefit Scheme.

In a circular dated June 16, 2026, PenCom said the information must reach the Commission on or before July 6, 2026, warning that submissions must be complete, accurate and strictly comply with the prescribed template.

The circular, signed by the Acting Head of the Contribution and Bond Redemption Department, Mr Murtala M. Modibbo, was addressed to heads and chief executive officers of treasury-funded federal MDAs.

According to PenCom, the data collection exercise is critical to the smooth rollout of the Exit Benefit Scheme, which was recently approved by the federal government for employees of treasury-funded MDAs.

“The National Pension Commission is pleased to inform you that the Federal Government has approved the implementation of an Exit Benefit Scheme for employees of Treasury-funded Ministries, Departments and Agencies,” the circular stated.

PenCom directed affected MDAs to forward the required information through designated official email addresses before the July 6 deadline. The commission explained that the scheme provides for the payment of 100 per cent of the final total annual emoluments of eligible retiring employees who have served for a minimum of 10 years at the point of exit from service.

The benefit takes effect retrospectively from January 1, 2026.

To support implementation, PenCom said the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation has already issued guidelines outlining eligibility requirements, documentation, payment procedures, budgeting processes and the responsibilities of MDAs under the scheme.

The commission also disclosed that it is upgrading its Contribution and Bond Redemption Application to incorporate a dedicated Exit Benefit Scheme sub-module.

The Exit Benefit Scheme is one of the measures introduced under the provisions of the Pension Reform Act 2014 to provide enhanced financial support for retiring public servants in treasury-funded federal institutions.

Under Nigeria’s Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), employees and employers make periodic pension contributions into Retirement Savings Accounts managed by Pension Fund Administrators. However, labour groups and retirees have often raised concerns about the adequacy of retirement benefits, particularly amid rising inflation and the increasing cost of living.

The introduction of the Exit Benefit Scheme is expected to provide an additional financial cushion for eligible federal workers at retirement while helping to strengthen social protection for public servants after active service.