Nigeria’s telecom sector experienced a notable surge in internet subscriptions, reaching 164 million in Q1 2024, while voice users saw a 3% decline, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
The NBS Telecom Data report, released on Monday, highlighted that the total number of active voice subscribers in Q1 2024 was 219.3 million, down from 226.2 million in Q1 2023, marking a 3.03% year-on-year decline. Quarter-on-quarter, active voice subscribers decreased by 2.41%.
Conversely, the report noted a significant rise in internet subscriptions. The total number of active internet subscribers in Q1 2024 stood at 164.4 million, up from 157.6 million in Q1 2023, reflecting a 4.33% year-on-year increase. On a quarter-on-quarter basis, internet subscriptions grew by 0.32%.
Lagos State led the country in both categories, boasting 25.96 million active voice subscribers and 18.84 million active internet subscribers.
Ogun and Kano followed closely behind in internet subscriptions, with 9.53 million and 9.07 million, respectively, while Bayelsa recorded the lowest figures in both voice and internet users.
The report also highlighted MTN’s dominance in the market during Q1 2024, with the telecom giant holding the largest share of subscriptions. MTN recorded 81.8 million voice subscribers and 69.4 million internet users. Globacom secured second place with 62.2 million voice subscribers and 44.4 million internet users. Airtel came in third with 63.4 million voice subscribers and 46.8 million internet users, while 9mobile trailed behind with 11.7 million voice subscribers and 3.3 million internet users.
