The number of connected SIM cards in the telecommunication sector rose to 323.62 million in February, with 6.98 million new SIMs registered in the first two months of 2023.
While the number of registered new SIMs grew by 6.98 million from 316.64 million as of December 2022 to 323.62 million as of February 2023, the number of new active lines in the period only grew by 4.61 million from 222.23 million to 226.84 million in the period under review.
According to data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the total number of inactive lines as of February 2023 was 96.79 million.
Despite the increase in the total number of registered SIMs, it still fell short of its August 2021 peak of 328.12 million.
There has been an increase in mobile connectivity in Nigeria, with the technology aiding communication and Internet adoption.
The increasing reliance has been fuelling the adoption of mobile connectivity, with more people becoming dependent on their mobile phones.