As the world’s tech giants gather in Barcelona for Mobile World Congress 2025 (MWC25) from March 3–6, the question arises: how well is Nigeria’s mobile industry keeping up? With this year’s theme—Converge. Connect. Create.—the event promises groundbreaking innovations, but back home, the telecom sector is facing some tough realities.
MWC25 will feature massive exhibitions, high-profile keynotes, and deal-making opportunities. However, Nigeria’s presence remains uncertain. While it’s unclear if officials from the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy or the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) will attend, missing out on such a pivotal industry event would be a major setback.
9mobile’s Rough Patch: From Telecom Giant to Survival Mode
One of the most talked-about issues last week was the reported collapse of 9mobile’s network. Many subscribers were thrown into confusion, venting frustrations over the lack of communication from both the operator and regulator. But was the network truly down?
Sources within the company confirm there was indeed an outage, though it has since been fixed. The real problem, however, is much deeper. Once a major player with over 23 million subscribers in 2016, 9mobile’s customer base has now dwindled to just 3.3 million, barely 2.15% of the market share. Ownership changes, financial struggles, and lack of major investment have left the company fighting to stay relevant.
NCC insiders acknowledge that new owners, LH Telecommunications Ltd, are making efforts to revive the network, but a turnaround won’t happen overnight. Years of neglect have taken a toll, and subscribers may continue experiencing glitches for some time.
A Broader Telecom Challenge: Poor Service, Slow Internet, and Tariff Hikes
Beyond 9mobile, the entire mobile industry is struggling with dropped calls, slow internet speeds, and customer dissatisfaction. Operators blame forex volatility and economic pressures for their inability to make necessary investments. Recently, they were granted a tariff increase, and while improvements are expected, the question remains: when will customers actually see better service?
NCC sources indicate that some operators are now investing heavily in network expansion and service upgrades. While this is a positive step, industry experts argue that the regulator must take a more proactive approach—especially in handling struggling operators like 9mobile and NTEL.
Is Competition in the Telecom Industry Still Fair?
Nigeria’s telecom market was once a shining example of healthy competition. But today, that balance has shifted significantly. Among the remaining three major players, one company has pulled far ahead, creating a near-monopoly that some experts say is unhealthy for consumers.
A telecom analyst suggests that regulators need to rethink their approach, possibly redistributing telecom licenses or restructuring industry policies to encourage real competition. Otherwise, the country could end up putting all its eggs in one basket—a risky move for any sector.
The Mobile World Congress: A Missed Opportunity?
Global industry events like MWC25 are critical for Nigeria’s telecom development. They provide networking opportunities, policy insights, and exposure to the latest innovations. If Nigerian officials miss out, it would not only be a diplomatic failure but also a lost chance to push the industry forward.
To truly Converge. Connect. Create., as the MWC25 theme suggests, Nigeria’s telecom sector must rethink its strategy, address failing networks, and encourage genuine competition. The future of mobile technology in the country depends on it.
