9mobile subscribers across Nigeria are facing significant challenges as they are unable to port their numbers to other networks due to ongoing network outages, despite the company’s claim that porting services are still operational. The telecom operator has encouraged affected users to contact its support team, insisting it complies with all regulatory requirements for number portability. However, this assurance contrasts sharply with user experiences, as many have reported failed attempts to port, raising concerns about network transparency and customer rights.
Mobile Number Portability (MNP), introduced by the Nigerian Communications Commission in 2013, allows users to switch networks while retaining their phone numbers. The porting process relies on the full functionality of both the donor and recipient networks. Any technical glitch or network downtime can halt the process entirely, which is currently the case for many 9mobile users. While porting worked until early 2025—when 9mobile recorded the highest number of outgoing ports—ongoing outages are now preventing users from initiating or completing the transfer.
Frustrated customers have shared their experiences, with some abandoning their 9mobile lines entirely. A TechCabal reporter confirmed similar issues during an attempted porting process. Beyond connectivity problems, users also report being unable to buy data, even after successful account debits, compounding the dissatisfaction. Subscribers like Rotimi Babs say they are ready to leave the network as soon as conditions allow.
Meanwhile, industry insiders suggest that the porting disruptions may be linked to 9mobile’s ongoing negotiations with MTN Nigeria for a national roaming deal, which would allow the company to improve service using MTN’s infrastructure. While 9mobile denies any deliberate effort to block porting or shut down its network, its declining market share—from 15.7% in 2015 to just 1.9% in 2025—highlights a deeper crisis. In some regions, users are left with no service and no immediate recourse, fueling a sense of entrapment among remaining subscribers.