The news
- 9mobile (T2) gained 290,601 new users in July 2025, raising its active subscriber base to 2.7 million.
- From over 22 million subscribers in 2015, the telco had dropped to 2.4 million by mid-2025.
- While MTN, Airtel, and Globacom lost users in July, T2 was the only operator to record gains.
After nearly two years of decline, 9mobile, now rebranded as T2 Mobile, has finally posted a subscriber increase. In July 2025, the telco added 290,601 new users, growing its active customer base from 2.4 million to approximately 2.7 million, according to data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
This is the company’s first recorded month of growth since late 2023, marking a rare bright spot in what has been a challenging period for Nigeria’s fourth-largest telecom operator. The gain, though modest compared to the industry leaders, stands out as all three major competitors—MTN, Airtel, and Globacom—lost subscribers during the same period.
T2’s rise comes after years of steady decline. At its peak in 2015, the operator boasted over 22 million subscribers. However, financial instability, frequent leadership changes, and limited network investment contributed to a dramatic downturn. By mid-2025, its user base had shrunk by nearly 90%.
The telco’s struggles were further compounded by stricter regulatory audits. In 2024, the NCC purged millions of inactive lines across the industry, reducing the total number of mobile lines in Nigeria from 219 million to 154 million. T2, with a relatively small user base, was among the most affected.
Port-in activity — a key indicator of user trust and network attractiveness — also reflected its waning influence. In 2022, T2 recorded 324 monthly port-ins. By early 2025, that number had plummeted to just one to three new customers a month switching from other networks.
Still, July’s performance may be a signal that the telco is finally stabilising. Though it commands less than 2% of Nigeria’s telecom market, the increase in users suggests there may still be room for growth, especially under its new identity as T2. The rebrand, introduced earlier in 2025, is part of a broader strategy to reposition the company and win back consumer confidence.
The subscriber gain may not yet indicate a full turnaround, but for a telco long stuck in reverse, even the smallest forward movement is a notable shift.
