Amid rising speculation about a shutdown, 9Mobile has reassured customers that it remains fully operational, dismissing the rumors as false. The speculation started after users reported poor service quality and difficulties in porting to other networks, leading to assumptions about the company’s fate.
Acknowledging technical challenges, 9Mobile admitted that some customers experienced delays with Mobile Number Portability (MNP) but denied claims that it was blocking users from switching networks. The company described these disruptions as temporary glitches, stating that most of the issues have already been resolved.
Network disruptions in different parts of the country have also fueled concerns, but 9Mobile insists these are part of a broader infrastructure upgrade aimed at improving service quality. They urged subscribers to remain patient as they work through the transition.
Over the years, 9Mobile has faced significant losses, dropping from 22 million subscribers in 2016 to just 3.2 million as of January 2025. In a bid to revive its fortunes, LH Telecommunication Limited took over the company last year, injecting new capital and appointing a fresh leadership team. However, subscribers are still waiting for visible improvements.
In January 2025, the company unveiled a $3 billion expansion plan to enhance 2G, 3G, and 4G coverage while reducing costs by sharing infrastructure. However, with Nigeria’s high-interest rates and rising telecom costs, executing the plan remains a major challenge.
CEO Obafemi Banigbe acknowledged the industry-wide financial strain but reassured customers that 9Mobile is committed to a strong comeback in 2025. Whether the company can turn things around remains to be seen.
