Nigeria’s teledensity has recorded a sharp decline in 2024 following the nationwide enforcement of the National Identification Number (NIN) and Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) linkage policy.
According to the Nigerian Communications Commission’s (NCC) newly released 2024 Year-End Subscriber/Network Performance Report reviewed by Technology Times, the country’s teledensity, a metric that measures the number of active telephone connections per 100 inhabitants, fell from 103.66% in December 2023 to 76.08% by December 2024, representing a 26.61% drop.
“Teledensity consequently declined arising from the removal of SIMs not linked to a verifiable NIN. Nigeria’s teledensity decreased from 103.66% as at December 2023 to 76.08% by December 2024 indicating a 26.61% decrease,” the NCC report states.
The drop in teledensity mirrors the broader contraction across the mobile subscriber base. The regulator reports that active voice subscriptions fell from 224,713,710 in 2023 to 164,926,599 in 2024, a reduction of 59,787,111 subscriptions, also representing a 26.61% year-on-year decline.
NIN-SIM clampdown triggers decline
The drop in teledensity mirrors the broader contraction across the mobile subscriber base. The regulator reports that active voice subscriptions fell from 224,713,710 in 2023 to 164,926,599 in 2024, a reduction of 59,787,111 subscriptions, also representing a 26.61% year-on-year decline.
According to the report, the decline stemmed primarily from the stringent enforcement of the NIN-SIM integration policy, which mandates that all SIM cards be linked to a verifiable National Identification Number.
“The drop in Nigeria’s telecoms subscriber base was attributed to the removal of Subscriber Identification Modules (SIMs) that were not linked to verifiable National Identification Numbers (NINs) and the rectification of a major discrepancy by a Mobile Network Operator,” the document adds.
The NCC explains that the policy aims to improve national security and strengthen the integrity of subscriber records. It says the NIN-SIM integration drive is intended to enhance security, improve data management, and support the broader development of Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.
The impact of the policy also extended to internet subscriptions. Active internet subscriptions fell from 163,838,439 in December 2023 to 139,282,108 in December 2024, representing a 14.98% decline and a reduction of 24,556,331 subscriptions within the review period.
Despite reductions in voice and internet subscriptions, broadband penetration rose slightly from 43.71% to 44.43%, a development the Commission attributes to improved 3G, 4G and 5G coverage nationwide.
The regulator adds that the subscriber decline indicates an industry transition rather than a market collapse. Nigeria, it notes, still maintains over 95% cellular coverage, while operators continue to invest heavily in network infrastructure and data services. Notably, the annual volume of data consumed grew by 34.26% in 2024.
While the NIN-SIM policy triggered a significant decline in subscriber numbers, the NCC insists that the long-term gains outweigh the temporary disruptions. It says aligning subscriber records with verified national identities will bolster national security, curb fraud and advance Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda.
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