The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) routinely publishes telecommunications data per state which it draws from data provided by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). According to the latest data from the NBS, active voice (mobile) customers increased by 2.4% q/q (-4.5% y/y) to 195.5 million in Q4 '21, marking the second consecutive quarter of subscriber growth. The number of active lines has continuously moved up since NCC, the industry regulator, relaxed the prohibition on SIM card sales and activation in Q3 '21.

Lagos had c.23.9 million users, about double the 12.0 million for second place Kano. Given that Lagos is the country's commercial hub, this is hardly surprising. With 0.7 and 0.41 million subscribers, Lagos and Kano also recorded the largest absolute subscriber growth.

Ogun, Oyo, and the FCT, with 11.4 million, 10.0 million, and 9.2 million active customers, round out the top five. However, amongst the three, the FCT experienced the largest q/q subscriber growth numbers, at 0.3 million, compared to 0.23 million and 0.17 million for Oyo and Ogun states, respectively.

Lagos State accounts for 12.2% of active voice subscribers in the country, while the top 5 and top 10 states account for 34.0% and 52.5% respectively. This is a good indicator of household consumption patterns and state-level economic activity.

While almost every state in the federation saw an increase in active voice subscribers, Zamfara and Katsina saw declines of -10.3% and -7.7% q/q respectively. The two states in the country's northwest region are among the most vulnerable in terms of security.

Taraba, Gombe, and Niger states had the highest percentage growth rate during the quarter at 6.8%, 6.3%, and 5.8%, respectively.

The data also reveal the strategic choices made by network operators with respect to their geographic footprint. MTN Nigeria maintains a market share (by subscribers) of at least 40% or more across 19 states of the federation. Its top 3 states by market share include Ekiti (57.2%), Imo and Sokoto, both at 49.2%. It also maintains a market share of at least 30% in 14 states and the FCT, including Lagos and Kano.

While Glo maintains a market share of at least 40% in three states of the federation, including Kogi (51.8%), Edo (48.3%) and Oyo (41.4%), Airtel has a market share of 40% and over in two states including Borno (48.7%) and Yobe (44.1%). EMTS continues to battle market share erosin; its market share is below 12% in all the state that it operates in.