Telecom Subscribers Hit 92m As Museum Celebrates 25 Years Of Growth

Nigeria’s telecommunications industry has grown from about 50,000 mobile subscribers in 2001 to more than 92 million, as a new exhibition in Lagos highlights the sector’s 25-year transformation and its impact on the nation’s digital economy.

The exhibition, which opened on August 12, 2026, chronicles the evolution of Nigeria’s telecom industry from the early days of limited 1G voice services to the emergence of 5G connectivity and a digital economy increasingly driven by mobile technology.

The walk-through museum features telecommunications devices, advertising and campaign materials, historical artefacts and data points that illustrate the scale of the industry’s expansion over the past two and a half decades.

Early displays take visitors back to the era of the Nokia 3310 and limited network coverage, while later sections highlight the growth of mobile connectivity and its contribution to fintech, e-commerce, entertainment, content creation, remote work and entrepreneurship.

The exhibition also captures the wider transformation enabled by telecommunications, showing how improved connectivity has expanded access to financial services, education, digital commerce and creative opportunities across Nigeria.

Business stakeholders at the exhibition noted that the rapid expansion of telecommunications infrastructure represents one of the most significant technology transformations in Nigeria, with connectivity now supporting businesses and economic activities across several sectors.

Speaking at the launch, the Chief Financial Officer, MTN Nigeria, Modupe Kadri, said the exhibition was a tribute to the millions of Nigerians who contributed to the company’s journey and the broader evolution of telecommunications in the country.

Kadri said, “When we look back at the last 25 years, we recognise that this story has been shaped by millions of Nigerians. Our customers, government and regulatory stakeholders, partners, employees, communities and many others have been part of the progress we celebrate today.

“The Museum is an opportunity to reflect on the moments, innovations and connections that have transformed lives, businesses and communities across the country, while appreciating everyone who has contributed to that shared history.”

Also speaking, the Chief Marketing Officer, MTN Nigeria, Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, said the museum was designed to celebrate both technological advancement and the memories and experiences that connectivity has created for Nigerians.

According to her, the exhibition places MTN’s growth within the broader transformation of Nigeria over the past 25 years.

She said, “The museum places MTN’s story within the broader context of Nigeria’s transformation over the last two and a half decades.

“As network technology evolved from voice services to high-speed connectivity, new opportunities emerged for communication, entrepreneurship, financial inclusion, entertainment, education and participation in the digital economy.”

Ikenna-Emeka added that the exhibition also highlights the contribution of telecommunications to Nigeria’s creative industries.

“It also highlights the role connectivity has played in supporting Nigeria’s creative industries, enabling artists, performers, creators and businesses to reach wider audiences and participate in an increasingly connected world,” she said.

The exhibition therefore offers a historical account of how the expansion of mobile telecommunications has reshaped communication and created new economic and social opportunities for millions of Nigerians.