Over 300K Customers Leave 9mobile Over MTN Roaming Delay

In the process of obtaining regulatory clearance for a nationwide roaming agreement with MTN Nigeria, struggling telecom operator 9mobile is losing customers at a tremendous rate with a sharp drop in its subscriber base, losing over 300,000 users in just two months. The agreement is moving more slowly than anticipated, but it might provide 9mobile access to MTN’s vast infrastructure to enhance its network coverage and service quality, which are major complaints from many consumers.

According to figures provided by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the operator lost 318,825 members in February and March 2025 alone, bringing its customer base down to just 2.96 million and its market share down from 1.9% in January 2025 to 1.72%.

Industry observers claim that the migration is being fuelled by 9mobile’s which is due to slow internet speeds, poor coverage, and disruptions, 9mobile’s network has been rapidly deteriorating. The problem has gotten worse due to LightHouse Capital’s limited investment, which has irritated customers and caused mass exodus and things have gotten worse because the company has been sluggish to make investments in vital infrastructure improvements. Even number porting has been hampered by network unreliability, and retention attempts through support marketing and promotions have failed. The stalled roaming agreement with MTN is viewed as a vital remedy for the faltering operator as its market share declines.

Regarding the state of the roaming agreement, MTN and 9mobile choose not to comment. A long-awaited roaming agreement with MTN Nigeria could be the key to a possible comeback. In areas where 9mobile coverage is limited, the deal would let consumers connect via MTN’s network. However, the agreement is delayed while it awaits the NCC’s final approval.

Two people with knowledge of the situation claim that MTN Nigeria and 9mobile are still awaiting approval of the agreement from the NCC. Although the partnership’s technical and business features have been described, regulatory approval is necessary to maintain fair competition and guarantee adherence to industry regulations. The Nigerian National Broadband Plan and the objectives of the digital economy are among the national priorities that the NCC must assess to determine whether the roaming agreement is in line with them.

The technical and commercial elements have already been finalized, according to sources. The NCC is currently examining the deal, though, to make sure it supports rural connectivity, upholds fair competition, and is in line with national broadband goals. 

The NCC considers the deal’s ability to boost rural connectivity, encourage infrastructure sharing, lower costs, and raise the quality of service in underserved areas as part of the approval process. This examination makes sure that these collaborations serve the interests of the general public and the participating businesses. In order to prevent market imbalances or anti-competitive behavior, the NCC must also confirm that the agreement conforms with technical standards and licensing requirements.

Usually, the regulatory approval process takes six to twelve weeks. This entails a two- to four-week initial examination of the documentation, a two- to six-week technical and commercial appraisal, a one- to three-week conversation with possible stakeholders, and a one- to two-week public disclosure and final approval.

A request for feedback was not answered by the NCC.

The partnership between MTN Nigeria and 9mobile have previously worked together on roaming which is not a new thing. This larger idea was made possible by a successful three-month nationwide roaming test trial between the two providers in specific Ondo State regions that was authorized by the NCC in August 2020. When each network’s principal service was offline, the pilot enabled users from both networks to connect using the other’s infrastructure. The successful experiment laid the groundwork for a more extensive collaboration.

Since then, both sides have worked to reach a long-term deal that would grant them both access to spectrum bands and network resources. In order to optimize network usage nationwide, the current proposal would also grant MTN access to 9mobile’s 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, and 2100 MHz frequency bands.

According to a telecom executive who wished to remain anonymous in order to speak freely, “the NCC continues to delay because it recognizes that the contract offers the competing party (MTN Nigeria) an advantage.” “They understand the significance of MTN obtaining 9mobile’s spectrum.”

In the absence of regulatory approval, 9mobile is still in limbo. In less than ten years, the firm, which was once a prominent player with 23.4 million customers and a 15.7% market share in September 2015 (when it was known as Etisalat Nigeria), has lost nearly 20 million consumers. Its 2.96 million subscribers now serve as a sobering reminder of the operator’s decline and the pressing need for a strategic solution.

The blocked MTN contract is viewed as a vital lifeline, given its uncertain future. However, 9mobile runs the risk of further deteriorating in Nigeria’s fiercely competitive telecom market unless regulatory license is obtained quickly.

If accepted, the roaming contract might provide 9mobile with a vital lifeline. However, each delay weakens its standing in the cutthroat telecom industry in Nigeria.