9mobile subscribers are encountering a new and frustrating challenge: they cannot port their numbers to other networks due to persistent network outages in several parts of the country. Despite these disruptions, 9mobile maintains that porting services remain active.
“Our customers can still port out of our network if they choose to, and we comply fully with regulatory guidelines to ensure a smooth process,” said Chineze Amanfo, 9mobile’s Public Relations Lead. “We encourage any customer experiencing issues to contact our support team for assistance.”
The discrepancy between the company’s assurances and user experiences has raised concerns about transparency and access, especially as network reliability continues to decline.
For users dealing with frequent call disruptions, slow internet, or total network outages, porting offers a vital solution. In April 2013, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) introduced Mobile Number Portability (MNP) to give consumers more control and encourage competition. The policy allows telecom users in Nigeria to switch to a different network without losing their existing phone number.
Porting requires both the donor (current) and recipient (new) networks to be online and responsive in real time. Any outage, glitch, or downtime on either end halts the porting process entirely. And that’s exactly what many 9mobile users are now facing.
Until January, 9mobile users could port out without issue. In January 2025, the operator recorded 4,528 outgoing ports, making up nearly 79% of all 5,710 ported numbers across the industry. MTN Nigeria followed with 952 port-outs, Airtel had 130, and Globacom recorded just 100.
Porting involves the subscriber sending “PORT” via SMS to a short code to initiate the transfer, after which the request is processed by a central Number Portability Clearing House. But if 9mobile’s systems are down or unresponsive, the request can’t go through, and subscribers can’t generate the code.
For some subscribers, the frustration has reached a breaking point. Oloruntoba Yusuf, a broadcaster and former 9mobile user, told that after enduring two months of poor service, he tried and failed to port.
“I gave up,” he said. “ I changed my BVN number and threw the SIM card away. My sister-in-law still uses 9mobile and says the network hasn’t been restored.”
A reporter attempted to port from the network after 9mobile’s response to comments and received the following message: “Your message has been received. If you have not done so already, please proceed to the nearest shop of the network you want to port to.”
Rotimi Babs, an energy consultant and current 9mobile subscriber, said the problems go beyond unreliable service. Although network coverage has been inconsistent, purchasing airtime and data bundles has been even more frustrating: banks debit his account, but 9mobile fails to credit the data. Even trying to buy data using existing airtime doesn’t work.
“I’ve migrated most of my communication away from the line,” Babs said. “At the first opportunity to port, I won’t hesitate.”
Some industry insiders claim the timing of the disruption in porting is not coincidental. 9mobile is in the final stages of negotiating a national roaming agreement with MTN Nigeria. The deal would allow 9mobile to use MTN’s infrastructure to improve its reach and service quality, especially in underserved areas. According to two sources familiar with the matter, the partnership could be announced within a few months.
“To secure more favourable terms in the deal, 9mobile likely wants to retain as many subscribers as possible,” said one telecom executive who wanted to remain anonymous to speak freely. “Blocking porting—even indirectly—helps keep those numbers stable.”
But Amanfo told that the possibility of switching off its network is zero.
“We work under strict regulatory guidelines,” she said. “We cannot just switch off our network without the express permission of the NCC. You can confirm this from the regulator as well.”
In December, 9mobile blamed ongoing technical glitches caused by fibre cuts in multiple locations for the difficulty in supplying quality service. It denied intentionally blocking users from leaving the network. However, the operator’s sharp decline tells its own story. Formerly known as Etisalat Nigeria, 9mobile held 15.7% market share in 2015. As of January 2025, it had dropped to 1.9%, with just 3.2 million active subscribers, and that number hasn’t changed for three months straight.
In several regions, including many parts of Lagos, even remaining subscribers report complete service blackouts. Whether the MTN roaming deal can revive 9mobile remains to be seen. But for now, many of its customers feel trapped, with no signal and no way out.
