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9Mobile Market Share Drops to 2% as Subscribers Port to Other Networks

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By Dipo Olowookere

It seems not to be looking too good for 9Mobile, formerly operating as Etisalat, in the Nigerian telecommunications industry as its subscriber base has continued to shrink as the company struggles to stay competitive.

Since the United Arab Emirates (UAE) company severed its relationship with Emerging Markets Telecommunication Services (EMTS) Limited in 2017 and the brand name changed to 9Mobile, customers of the network have not enjoyed quality service delivery.

Some of 9Mobile subscribers have had to endure drop calls, poor service delivery and others, forcing them to port to other networks.

Even the acquisition of a majority stake in EMTS Limited by LH Telecommunication Limited in July 2024, speculated to change the narrative for good, has not done the expected magic as subscribers have complained of poor service.

In the latest data of active lines released by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), it was revealed that the market share of 9Mobile dropped to 2.15 per cent as of October 2024.

The data, obtained by Business Post, showed that the company boasts only 3,389,897 subscribers, far lower than Glo’s 19,108,272 subscribers, which is third on the list at a market share of 12.15 per cent.

The leading network in Nigeria remains MTN at 51.09 per cent with a subscriber base of 80,376,120 subscribers, followed by Airtel at 34.61 per cent with 54,446,118 subscribers.

In the NCC data, it was stated that in October 2024, active mobile lines in Nigeria slightly rose by 2 per cent month-on-month to 157.6 million, ending the monthly drop in mobile line subscriptions that started in March 2024 due to the NIN-SIM linkage exercise imposed by the sector regulator.

As a result, all unlinked SIM cards were disabled, significantly reducing active mobile lines, and leading to telcos losing a considerable number of subscribers.

It was disclosed that in the period under review, MTN Nigeria gained about 2.3 million or 2.9 per cent of customers on a month-on-month basis, followed by Airtel with about 697,000 users in October.

However, 9Mobile, once a darling network in Nigeria, suffered the largest attrition, as it lost 245,000 subscribers, while Glo lost 45,000 subscribers.

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Interswitch Inducts New Interns into Developer Academy to Fortify Tech Talent Pipeline

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By Aduragbemi Omiyale

A cohort of developer interns has been inducted into the Developer Academy of Interswitch as part of efforts to deepen Africa’s tech talent pipeline.

The new cohort emerged through a rigorous multi-stage process involving technical assessments and interviews. They were chosen from over 20,000 applications.

The talents were sourced from across key engineering tracks, including Backend Development, DevOps, Mobile Development, Frontend Engineering, and Quality Assurance.

Their induction highlights both the scale of interest in software engineering opportunities in Nigeria and Interswitch’s role in nurturing the next generation of highly skilled technology professionals.

During the 9-month programme, participants will benefit from mentorship by experienced professionals, exposure to enterprise-grade systems, and the development of workplace readiness skills essential for today’s dynamic work environment.

Designed as an intensive and structured learning experience, the Developer Academy combines theoretical instruction with real-world application, equipping participants with the skills required to thrive in an increasingly global and competitive technology landscape.

At the end of the programme, top-performing interns may be offered full-time roles within Interswitch, while others are well-positioned to pursue opportunities across the broader technology landscape.

“At Interswitch, we have always believed in the capacity to see beyond the immediate challenges and focus on long-term impact. While the migration of skilled talent remains a reality, our approach is to actively shape the outcomes by building a strong and sustainable pipeline of technology professionals,” the chief executive of Interswitch, Mr Mitchell Elegbe, said.

“We are therefore committed to equipping individuals with the capabilities to contribute meaningfully to the broader technology ecosystem, locally and globally, not just for our own needs at Interswitch. In doing so, we are not only strengthening the industry but also reinforcing Nigeria’s position as a source of globally competitive engineering talent,” he added.

Also commenting, the Human Resources Officer, Mr Franklin Ali, said, “The Developer Academy reflects our long-term commitment to building talent at scale. We are equipping these young professionals not just with technical skills, but with the mindset, discipline, and adaptability required to thrive in diverse environments.

“Whether they build their careers within Interswitch, contribute to the local ecosystem, or explore global opportunities, they represent the strength and potential of Nigerian talent and carry forward the standard of excellence we are committed to building.”

Beyond its immediate training objectives, Interswitch’s Developer Academy is anchored on a broader strategic vision, one that addresses the ongoing migration of skilled talent from Nigeria and other developing economies.

As global demand for software engineers continues to rise, many highly skilled professionals are increasingly recruited by international organisations.

Interswitch’s approach reframes this trend, positioning talent development both as a means of local capacity building and as an opportunity to strengthen Nigeria’s reputation as a global hub for technology expertise.

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Flexmobile to Disrupt Nigeria’s Telecom Landscape

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By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Nigeria’s telecom landscape is about to be abuzz, with the much-anticipated launch of Flexmobile from Hazon Technologies.

Feelers indicate that the company will soon make a commercial debut, as the regulatory approval is now in the final stage.

It was gathered that the commercial rollout for Flexmobile should be June 1, 2026, as this depends on the authorisation of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), which regulates the sector. The telco will have the distinctive 081 number series.

Early signals suggest a product ecosystem engineered around flexibility, data-centricity, and user control—an approach aligned with the evolving expectations of Nigeria’s digitally connected population.

For seamless operations, Flexmobile has sealed commercial agreements with its MVNE, IMBIL, and Airtel Nigeria.

“What lies ahead is more than a launch—it is the beginning of a new way to experience telecoms in Nigeria,” the chief executive of Hazon Technologies, Mr Victor ‘Gbenga Afolabi, said at a recent media briefing.

“After years of building the right partnerships and infrastructure, we are approaching a defining milestone. Flexmobile is designed to challenge conventions and introduce a smarter, more flexible telecom experience for Nigerians,” he added.

While full details of its offering will be unveiled at launch, Flexmobile is expected to introduce a suite of value-added services designed to go beyond traditional connectivity—positioning the brand at the intersection of telecoms, lifestyle, and digital enablement.

Backed by strong institutional partnerships and a robust MVNE framework, Flexmobile enters the market not just as another operator, but as a platform with the potential to reshape how telecom services are consumed and experienced.

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ipNX, NCC to Drive Inclusive Digital Growth Across Nigeria

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By Aduragbemi Omiyale

A leading Information and Communications Technology (ICT) company, ipNX Nigeria, is joining forces with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to accelerate broadband penetration and drive inclusive digital growth across the country.

Recently, an executive delegation of the organisation paid a visit to the chairman of the regulatory agency, Mr Idris Olorunimbe.

“We are pleased to engage with the new chairman of the NCC and show our support as he takes on this important role.

“Strong leadership and a clear policy direction are essential to unlocking the full potential of Nigeria’s digital economy.

“At ipNX, we remain committed to working closely with the commission and other stakeholders to expand broadband access, enhance connectivity in educational institutions, and ultimately bridge the digital divide.

“This collaboration will empower millions of Nigerians and further position the country as a leader in Africa’s technological evolution,” the Managing Director of ipNX Nigeria, Mr Ejovi Aror, said at the visit.

In his remarks, Mr Olorunnimbe thanked the firm for the show of support, reiterating the commission’s commitment to fostering an enabling environment for private sector participation in achieving universal broadband access across Nigeria.

This collaboration is expected to advance Nigeria’s transformation agenda in technology and help boost the federal government’s broadband agenda for the country.

ipNX Nigeria has said it remains at the forefront of delivering cutting-edge broadband and ICT solutions, and this engagement underscores its unwavering dedication to supporting national development through technology-driven initiatives.

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