Mobile phone subscriptions in Nigeria
Nigeria: Mobile phone subscriptions was 164.65 million in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Mobile phone subscriptions in Nigeria, 1980–2024
Source: International Telecommunication Union (ITU), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for mobile phone subscriptions in Nigeria is 164.65 million, measured in 2024.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 26.6% on the previous year and up 18.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, mobile phone subscriptions in Nigeria peaked at 224.41 million in 2023 and was at its lowest, 0, in 1980.
Nigeria ranks 10th of 212 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Mobile phone subscriptions in Nigeria, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 0 | — |
| 1981 | 0 | — |
| 1982 | 0 | — |
| 1983 | 0 | — |
| 1984 | 0 | — |
| 1985 | 0 | — |
| 1986 | 0 | — |
| 1987 | 0 | — |
| 1988 | 0 | — |
| 1989 | 0 | — |
| 1990 | 0 | — |
| 1991 | 0 | — |
| 1992 | 0 | — |
| 1993 | 9,049 | — |
| 1994 | 12,800 | +41.5% |
| 1995 | 13,000 | +1.6% |
| 1996 | 14,000 | +7.7% |
| 1997 | 15,000 | +7.1% |
| 1998 | 20,000 | +33.3% |
| 1999 | 25,000 | +25.0% |
| 2000 | 30,000 | +20.0% |
| 2001 | 266,461 | +788.2% |
| 2002 | 1.57 million | +488.8% |
| 2003 | 3.15 million | +100.7% |
| 2004 | 9.15 million | +190.4% |
| 2005 | 18.59 million | +103.2% |
| 2006 | 32.32 million | +73.9% |
| 2007 | 40.40 million | +25.0% |
| 2008 | 62.99 million | +55.9% |
| 2009 | 74.52 million | +18.3% |
| 2010 | 87.30 million | +17.1% |
| 2011 | 95.17 million | +9.0% |
| 2012 | 112.78 million | +18.5% |
| 2013 | 127.25 million | +12.8% |
| 2014 | 138.96 million | +9.2% |
| 2015 | 150.83 million | +8.5% |
| 2016 | 154.34 million | +2.3% |
| 2017 | 144.92 million | -6.1% |
| 2018 | 172.73 million | +19.2% |
| 2019 | 184.59 million | +6.9% |
| 2020 | 204.23 million | +10.6% |
| 2021 | 195.13 million | -4.5% |
| 2022 | 222.22 million | +13.9% |
| 2023 | 224.41 million | +1.0% |
| 2024 | 164.65 million | -26.6% |
Nigeria compared with similar countries
- Nigeria's 164.65 million is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 12.17 million, 13.5× the median. (47 countries reporting)
- Nigeria's 164.65 million is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 13.69 million, 12.0× the median. (48 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Mobile phone subscriptions in Nigeria changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | +788.2% | 30,000 | 266,461 |
| 2002 | +488.8% | 266,461 | 1.57 million |
| 2004 | +190.4% | 3.15 million | 9.15 million |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| 1990s | 10,885 | 0 | 25,000 | 10 |
| 2000s | 24.30 million | 30,000 | 74.52 million | 10 |
| 2010s | 136.89 million | 87.30 million | 184.59 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 202.13 million | 164.65 million | 224.41 million | 5 |
Countries ranked near Nigeria
More science & technology data for Nigeria
- Mobile landline subscriptions, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Mobile landline subscriptions, gaps filled 70.76 (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per capita 0.7076 units per person (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per unit of GDP 0.0007 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, gaps filled 164.65 million (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per square kilometre 246.4 units per square kilometre (2023)
- Mobile landline subscriptions, annual growth rate -28.14 % change on previous year (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, annual growth rate -26.63 % change on previous year (2024)
- Scientific and technical journal articles 9,799 (2023)
- Scientific and technical journal articles, per capita 0 units per person (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is mobile phone subscriptions in Nigeria?
- Mobile phone subscriptions in Nigeria was 164.65 million in 2024, according to International Telecommunication Union (ITU), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest mobile phone subscriptions recorded in Nigeria?
- The highest recorded value was 224.41 million in 2023.
- What is the lowest mobile phone subscriptions recorded in Nigeria?
- The lowest recorded value was 0 in 1980.
- How does Nigeria rank for mobile phone subscriptions?
- Nigeria ranks 10th out of 212 countries with data for 2024.
- Is mobile phone subscriptions rising or falling in Nigeria?
- Over the last ten years it is up 18.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Nigeria data come from?
- The figures come from International Telecommunication Union (ITU), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Mobile phone subscriptions. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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