9mobile Loses Customers As MTN Roaming Deal Approval Delays

Beulah Godfrey

May 9, 2025
3 min read

Struggling telecom company 9mobile is losing customers fast as it waits for the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to approve its national roaming agreement with MTN Nigeria. The deal would allow 9mobile to use MTN’s wider network to improve its service and reach more users. But delays in getting approval are hurting the company’s chances of survival.

According to recent NCC data, 9mobile lost 318,825 subscribers in February and March 2025. Its user base has dropped to just 2.96 million, down from over 23 million in 2015 when it was known as Etisalat Nigeria. Its market share also dropped from 1.9% in January to 1.72% in March 2025.

Customers are leaving the network due to poor coverage, frequent service outages, and slow internet speeds. Many users have struggled to port their numbers to other networks because 9mobile’s system has been unreliable. Promotional offers and customer support campaigns have also failed to stop the loss.

LightHouse Capital, the company’s current owner, has made little investment in the network, which has made the situation worse. Now, the roaming deal with MTN is seen as 9mobile’s last hope to stay in the market.

MTN-9mobile Roaming Deal Awaits NCC Approval

Sources familiar with the matter said both 9mobile and MTN are waiting for the NCC’s green light. The two telecom giants have already agreed on technical and business terms. But the NCC must approve the deal to make sure it fits with Nigeria’s telecom rules and national goals.

The NCC is reviewing whether the deal supports Nigeria’s National Broadband Plan and digital economy targets. The commission is also checking if the partnership can improve rural connectivity, support infrastructure sharing, cut service costs, and boost quality in underserved areas.

The approval process could take between six and twelve weeks. This includes reviewing documents, evaluating the technical and business parts, consulting stakeholders, and finally publishing the approval.

The NCC has not made any public statements about the current status of the deal.

9mobile and MTN Previously Ran a Roaming Trial

This isn’t the first time both companies have worked together. In August 2020, the NCC approved a three-month trial in Ondo State where users from one network could connect through the other when coverage was poor. The test was successful and laid the foundation for a larger deal.

Now, the long-term deal includes sharing network resources and access to 9mobile’s frequency bands, such as 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, and 2100 MHz. These bands could help MTN improve network performance across Nigeria.

However, some experts say the NCC is being cautious because the deal could give MTN an edge over other networks. “The NCC knows letting MTN access 9mobile’s spectrum could shift the balance of power,” said a telecom insider.

Without approval, 9mobile’s future looks shaky. Once a major telecom provider, it has lost more than 20 million users in less than 10 years. Its current position in the market is weak, and further delays could push it closer to collapse.

If approved, the roaming deal with MTN could give 9mobile a much-needed lifeline. But every week of delay continues to damage its already fragile standing in Nigeria’s telecom market.