9mobile denies shutdown rumors amid service woes

Nigerian telecom operator 9mobile has strongly denied persistent rumors suggesting it may shut down operations, following mounting subscriber complaints about poor service quality and technical issues preventing users from porting out of its network.

The company’s statement comes amid growing scrutiny and declining fortunes in the competitive telecom landscape, where 9mobile’s subscriber base has dwindled to just 2.8 million, representing a mere 1.72% market share as of March 2025, according to data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

The operator’s user count remained unchanged between February and March, signaling a worrying halt in both new activations and customer exits, and further fueling speculations of an operational freeze.

In a swift response, 9mobile issued a categorical denial of the shutdown rumors, calling them “false and misleading.”

“These claims are entirely baseless and aimed at causing unnecessary panic among our valued subscribers,” the company said in an official statement.

9mobile acknowledged that customers had faced difficulty using the Mobile Number Portability (MNP) feature but clarified that the issue was due to temporary technical glitches, not a deliberate blockade.

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“We want to clarify that 9mobile has never restricted customers from porting to other networks. The difficulties experienced were due to temporary technical challenges, which have now been largely resolved,” it explained.

Dr. Yinka Adelaja, a telecoms analyst at the Centre for Digital Policy Studies, described the situation as a “tipping point” for 9mobile.

“9mobile has been on a gradual decline since its rebranding. Without fresh capital injection and a bold strategic shift, it risks irrelevance in a market where service quality and coverage are king,” Adelaja noted.

Ifeoma Ezeani, a technology lawyer and consumer rights advocate, warned that any technical disruption impacting customers’ right to port could have regulatory consequences.

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“MNP is a consumer right. Even if the issue is technical, transparency and prompt resolution are essential. 9mobile must work closely with the NCC to ensure compliance,” she stated.

MTN Nigeria continues to dominate with 90.4 million active connections, commanding 52.48% of the market. Airtel Nigeria follows with 58.2 million subscribers and 33.78% share. Globacom holds 12.01% with 20.7 million users.

In contrast, 9mobile’s market share remains under 2%, a stark decline from its early days as a promising challenger in the telecom space.

9mobile insists it is not retreating but rather rebuilding. The company revealed it is undergoing a major infrastructure overhaul aimed at enhancing long-term service reliability and user experience.

“We are undertaking a broader transformation effort to modernize our infrastructure. These temporary disruptions will soon give way to a more reliable and efficient network,” the company assured.

“Unless 9mobile can regain user trust and significantly improve service delivery, its recovery will be an uphill battle,” said telecom consultant Tope Olawale. “There’s room in the market for a fourth player — but not one that’s invisible.”