Boardroom tussle crippling 9mobile operations, telco reacts

The ongoing leadership tussle at 9mobile, one of Nigeria’s leading telecommunications companies, has snowballed, and may be taking a toll on its operations, NewsNGR reports.

The telecom company, which has been facing significant internal disputes, is said to be struggling to maintain consistent network services for its customers.

The situation worsened as the telco lost over 6,000 subscribers in just two months.

Fresh reports indicate that thousands of 9mobile customers are facing difficulties as the telecom operator blocks porting requests and fails to provide consistent network services. For over a month, users have reported being unable to make or receive calls, send texts, or use their SIM cards, with many seeing ‘No service’ or ‘Emergency calls only’ notifications.

These issues reportedly started last year but have intensified in 2025. Many users have accused 9mobile of deliberately blocking porting requests. A visit to 9mobile’s offices in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) revealed no network availability, and business activities were stalled.

Angry subscribers are now calling on the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to intervene and sanction 9mobile for failing to resolve these ongoing issues. Ifiok Samson, a frustrated user, said, “NCC needs to sanction 9mobile and issue a directive that they should allow their customers to port to other networks. We’ve been through a lot since last year, and it’s worsened in 2025.” Samson explained that he has been unable to port since January due to network issues and 9mobile’s refusal to resolve the matter.

Social media reactions echo widespread dissatisfaction, with users from various regions complaining about the lack of service and difficulties in porting. Some have shared personal losses due to missed business calls, while others have expressed frustration with 9mobile’s silence on the matter.

Social Media Reactions:

@Ifoye, NgComCommission: “9mobile network has been down in Ibadan for over 2 weeks with no recovery date in sight. It is impossible to port to other networks due to the lack of service.”

@DforDust: “9mobile has been unavailable for a month, and there has been no communication from them about the issue. This has cost many businesses.”

@PrettyaganahHello NCC: “Please help us in Kano. 9mobile has been down for almost a month, and we’ve lost business calls as a result.”

@motexmaryam: “I can’t even use WhatsApp because my number can’t be verified. No service, no calls, no SMS.”

@tony_okey: “Please waive the authorization code requirement for porting. I’ve had no signal for months and can’t port away from 9mobile.”

@SanSparkles: “Please reinstate porting services so we can leave 9mobile. This is a selfish act.”

@aysomethin: “Where is NCC? 9mobile is holding us ransom. I tried to port, but MTN says they can’t do anything until 9mobile is back.”

@suleman_Tanimu: “Make porting services available so customers can move to other networks. I’ve been trying to port from 9mobile for 3 weeks with no success.”

Customers are urging the NCC to take swift action to resolve the ongoing issues and ensure that 9mobile meets its obligations to subscribers.

Many Subscribers Abandon Network

Between November and December 2024, 9mobile saw a large number of its customers porting to other networks. According to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) report, 9mobile lost 3,891 subscribers in November 2024 and 2,188 subscribers in December 2024, bringing the total number of customers lost to 6,079.

In comparison, other operators experienced far fewer porting losses during the same period. MTN lost just 236 customers, Airtel recorded 269 losses while Globacom had 305 subscribers port out.

In December 2024, 9mobile also struggled with incoming porting, recording only 17 new customers, while MTN gained 1,856, Airtel 835, and Globacom 290.

The report also highlighted a decline in 9mobile’s market share, which dropped to 1.9% in December 2024, a sharp fall from its 2015 market share of 15.7%. This is compounded by a stagnant subscriber base of just 3.2 million for two consecutive months.

In contrast, other major telecom providers like MTN, Airtel, and Globacom saw growth in both subscribers and market share during the same period. MTN increased its subscriber base to 84.6 million by December 2024, while Airtel grew to 56.6 million, and Globacom’s recovery continued, reaching 20.1 million subscribers by the end of the year.

The Leadership Battle

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja is currently adjudicating an ongoing dispute over the ownership and control of Emerging Markets Telecommunication Service (EMTS), which holds and operates the 9mobile telecommunication license.

The plaintiff, Abubakar Isa Funtua, has dragged General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma (Rtd) and his company LH Telecommunication Limited, along with other defendants, to court over the ownership and control of Emerging Markets Telecommunications Limited, trading as 9mobile.

The defendants include: Seltrix Limited (the 1st Defendant); The Corporate Affairs Commission;  Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC); Hayatu Hassan Hadeija; Teleology Nigeria Limited and Mohammed Edewor, a Director at Teleology Nigeria Limited

In his Statement of Claim, the plaintiff seeks several reliefs, including: A declaration that he is the beneficial owner of 43,000,000 ordinary shares held in trust by the 1st Defendant (Seltrix Limited) in the capital of the 3rd Defendant (Teleology Nigeria Limited).

A declaration that the transfer of the shares to Teleology Nigeria Limited is null and void due to breaches of fiduciary duties.

An order setting aside the registration of the increase in share capital and allotment of shares by the Corporate Affairs Commission.

The plaintiff also seeks N100 billion in general damages from the defendants, among other reliefs.

Telco Reacts

9mobile has however assured its customers of improved services, dismissing the claims of possible shutdown.

The firm in a statement on Sunday said it understand that some customers have recently faced challenges, particularly with Mobile Number Portability (MNP), a service that enables seamless network switching.

“We want to clarify that 9mobile has never restricted customers from porting to other networks.

“We remain fully compliant with industry regulations and committed to delivering fair, transparent, and customer-focused services.

“While there have been temporary technical challenges affecting MNP, these issues have now been largely resolved.

“Some minor delays may still occur due to ongoing system optimizations, but we are actively working to ensure a smoother experience for all users.

“As a proudly Nigerian brand, we embody the resilient spirit of our people and remain steadfast in our commitment to overcoming challenges.

“We acknowledge the temporary service disruptions some customers may have experienced in different locations.

“However, we assure you that these disruptions are part of a broader transformation effort aimed at modernizing our infrastructure and improving overall service quality.”

The telecom firm said its “ongoing investments in network upgrades and service expansion will soon yield significant improvements, ensuring reliable connectivity for individuals, businesses, and communities”.

Will 9mobile survive the storm?

Despite 9mobile’s assurances about resolving the technical challenges and improving service quality, many subscribers remain frustrated and dissatisfied with the ongoing network failures.

Furthermore, many subscribers believe that the ongoing leadership crisis within the company may prevent 9mobile from overcoming its challenges. The internal disputes have led to concerns that the telco’s focus on resolving operational issues is being undermined by the power struggle at the top. As a result, users are skeptical that 9mobile can rise above these challenges and deliver the reliable service they expect. The combination of persistent network issues and leadership instability has left many subscribers feeling that 9mobile’s future remains uncertain.

The company’s ability to address its internal challenges, restore service quality, and regain customer trust will likely determine whether it can survive this turbulent period.

With customers demanding action and competitors strengthening their positions, the coming months will be critical for 9mobile’s survival in Nigeria’s competitive telecom market.