Nigeria’s mobile market is entering a new competitive phase in 2026, with market data showing MTN Nigeria strengthening its leadership, Airtel Nigeria recording the fastest subscriber growth, Globacom gradually recovering from last year’s subscriber verification shock, and T2 stabilising after years of decline.

Technology Times analysis of subscriber statistics from January to May 2026 shows the country’s four largest mobile network operators collectively added more than 7.5 million new subscriptions within five months, signalling renewed momentum in the telecoms market despite economic headwinds.

The figures by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the telecoms regulator, also reveal changing competitive dynamics, with growth increasingly driven by customer acquisition, network investments and data demand rather than regulatory adjustments that reshaped the market in 2024.

Technology Times analysis of subscriber statistics from January to May 2026 shows the country’s four largest mobile network operators collectively added more than 7.5 million new subscriptions within five months, signalling renewed momentum in the telecoms market despite economic headwinds.

Five key trends shaping Nigeria telecoms market in 2026

1. MTN Nigeria closes in on the 100 million subscriber milestone

MTN Nigeria, the nation’s largest mobile operator, continues to widen its lead over competitors. Its subscriber base grew from 94.25 million in January 2026 to 96.98 million in May 2026, representing a net gain of approximately 2.73 million customers in five months.

The steady expansion reinforces MTN’s dominance in both the voice and data markets as the operator inches closer to becoming Nigeria’s first mobile network with 100 million active subscriptions.

By May, MTN Nigeria accounted for about…