Business

Telecom loses 4.76m data users in Q2, 2021

Published

5 years ago

September 8, 2021

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), had recorded the loss of 4.76 million users and revealed the industry’s active data base had dropped by 3.3 percent in Q2, 2021.

The report is its latest industry review for the quarter. It was published on its website. Nigeria’s telecommunications industry is dominated by four major telcos, MTN, Globacom, Airtel and 9mobile.

Also in the period under review, the total internet service subscriber base from the four major operators decreased three months consecutively, ending Q2 with 139.81 million, against the 144.58 it ended Q1 with and 1.5 percent year-on-year.

Meanwhile, about 3.52 million data subscribers migrated from MTN and Airtel in the second quarter of 2021 between April to June.

A breakdown of the telecoms data users’ performance for Q2 2021 indicates that MTN Nigeria was the highest loser during the second quarter of 2021, losing 1.98 million in total, as its subscriber base declined for three months consecutive, to end June with 59.59 million users, below the 61.57 million it started April with.

The operator recorded its largest loss during the period under review, as 1.12 million customers stopped using the network’s service, in May; the loss dropped to 243,203 subscribers, and 607,511 was wiped off in June.

For Airtel Nigeria, about 1.54 million users abandoned the network between April to June this year, pushing firm further away from its closest rival Globacom.

It recorded 36.23 million data subscribers in June, which fell from 37.77 million, which it recorded in April, as 115,462 internet users were lost in the former, and 751,457 gained in the latter, however, it lost 906,669 in May.

Globacom on its part lost 932,250 data subscribers in the entire second quarter in review, as dropping from April’s opener of 38.80 million users to 37.87 million customers at the end of June.

According to the report, Globacom lost 1.09 million data users in April, and lost 118,730 subscribers in May before gaining 283,766 customers in June this year.

The company recorded the lowest loss based on the size of its total subscriber, which ended at 6.10 million in June, failing to surpass the 6.14 million it started Q2 with.

Similarly, 9mobile lost a total of 310,767 subscribers within the three months period under review, as April, May and June accounted for 195,241, 6,594, 108,932 data users losses respectively.

Teldensity

For the teledensity, the sector which recorded 187,026,517 active subscribers for telecom services in May (97.98%) under the GSM, a decline from 188,705,734 (98.86%) in April showed a consistent increase of 187,611,501 (98.28%) in June also showed further increase of 187,805,237, representing 98.39% of the country’s population.

Porting

For Forting, there was no record of porting in the whole of April and May but in June, a total of 616 subscribers ported. Of this number, 65 ported from Mtn to other networks and 360 ported from Aitel, 191 ported from 9mobile network, while Glo did not record any.

In July, a total of 734 subscribers ported in the month, in which Airtel recorded 543 subscribers that ported and 9mobile also recorded 191 porting activities, while Mtn and Glo recorded none in the month.

Bank

Union Bank Honoured by ASBON at Nigeria National SME Business Awards

Published

6 hours ago

May 13, 2026

Sahara Weekly

Union Bank Honoured by ASBON at Nigeria National SME Business Awards

Lagos, Nigeria – Union Bank of Nigeria has reaffirmed its reputation as a strong supporter of Nigerian businesses, receiving the Best SME Growth Banking Initiatives Award for 2025 from the Association of Small Business Owners of Nigeria (ASBON) at the Nigeria National SME Business Awards, held recently in Lagos.

The award was presented to the Bank in recognition of its strategic leadership in advancing the growth and resilience of small and medium-sized enterprises, through a differentiated suite of solutions designed to enable business expansion and long-term value creation.

Receiving the award on behalf of the Bank, Ayokunnumi Abraham, Head of SME Segment at Union Bank, described the recognition as a strong endorsement of the Bank’s commitment to supporting small and medium-sized businesses. He said:

“We are honoured to receive this recognition, which reflects Union Bank’s continued commitment to helping SMEs grow by making banking simpler, faster, and more accessible. Through enhancements to our specialised platforms such as Union360, we have meaningfully reduced the time it takes for businesses to come on board and begin transacting. These improvements have shortened onboarding, increased digital adoption among our SME customers, and supported the acquisition of new business clients. Our focus remains on delivering practical solutions that help Nigerian businesses thrive.”

Organised by ASBON in partnership with the Lagos State Government through the Ministry of Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, the event convened stakeholders from the public and private sectors to recognise individuals and organisations driving meaningful impact across Nigeria’s SME ecosystem.

Union Bank remains focused on deepening its support for SMEs through customer-led solutions and processes that strengthen business growth across the ecosystem.

Bank

Atlantian Crown Bank Rebrands as Arizona Global Bank LLC, Begins Licensing for Global Expansion

Published

19 hours ago

May 12, 2026

Sahara Weekly

Atlantian Crown Bank Rebrands as Arizona Global Bank LLC, Begins Licensing for Global Expansion

_By AGP News

*UNITED KINGDOM OF ATLANTIS* — In a move signaling a push into international markets, the Royal Throne of the United Kingdom of Atlantis on Sunday announced the corporate transformation of Atlantian Crown Bank LLC into *Arizona Global Bank LLC*, as part of a wider restructuring to position the institution for global banking and financial innovation.

The announcement was made at a press conference in the UKA capital by *HRM Queen Amb. Cletus C. Leaticia*, Chief Executive Officer of the newly named bank. She told reporters the rebranding marks _“more than a name change”_ and reflects a strategic pivot toward digital finance, cross-border investment, and modern banking standards.

_“This transformation represents our commitment to innovation-driven banking and our vision to become a globally competitive financial institution,”_ Queen Leaticia said.

*Licensing Process Underway*

According to the Department of Financial Administration and Corporate Affairs, which issued the official communication, Arizona Global Bank LLC has formally begun the process of applying for a *Banking Operational Licence* under UKA’s financial regulatory framework.

Once licensed, the bank plans to operate as a modern financial enterprise focused on four pillars:

1. Innovation-driven banking and digital financial solutions

2. Corporate financing and structured investment services

3. International financial partnerships and cross-border trade facilitation

4. Financial inclusion initiatives

Bank officials stressed that the institution will _“maintain strict compliance with all banking regulations and supervisory standards”_ set by UKA financial authorities.

*Strategic Shift Amid Global Ambitions*

Management described the rebranding as part of a broader restructuring initiative to _“strengthen the bank’s international identity, expand its global financial footprint, and align operations with contemporary banking standards.”_

Representatives called the licensing and rebranding process a _“major milestone”_ aimed at supporting economic growth, international trade, and cross-border investment initiatives.

*No Disruption to Existing Commitments*

Addressing potential concerns from clients and partners, management reassured stakeholders that _“all existing institutional commitments, operational objectives, and long-term strategic plans remain fully intact throughout the transition process.”_

The Royal Throne indicated that further updates on the licence approval, commencement of operations, corporate partnerships, and investment programmes will be released through official UKA and Arizona Global Bank LLC channels.

_The Department of Financial Administration and Corporate Affairs, Royal Throne of United Kingdom of Atlantis, issued the official statement._

Bank

Fidelity Bank grows Gross Earnings by 45.6% for FY 2025

Published

19 hours ago

May 12, 2026

Sahara Weekly

Fidelity Bank grows Gross Earnings by 45.6% for FY 2025

Lagos, Nigeria – Fidelity Bank Plc, a leading Nigerian financial institution, has announced its audited financial results for the year ended 31 December 2025, reporting Gross Earnings growth of 45.6% from N1.04 trillion in 2024 to N1.52 trillion in FY 2025, reflecting stronger topline momentum across core business segments.

The Group recorded a Profit Before Tax of N347.7 billion. This performance was underpinned by a 38.7% year-on-year increase in interest income to N1.11 trillion (FY 2024: N803.1 billion) and a 44.7% year-on-year rise in fees and commission income to N113.4 billion (FY 2024: N78.4 billion).

On the balance sheet, total assets grew by 18.6% year-on-year to N10.46 trillion (FY 2024: N8.82 trillion), while customer deposits increased by 16.1% year on year to N6.89 trillion (FY 2024: N5.94 trillion), reflecting continued franchise strength and growing customer confidence in the brand. Net loans and advances declined by 2.4% year-on-year to N4.28 trillion (FY 2024: N4.39 trillion) as customers paid down on their mature obligations.

The Bank also strengthened its capital position during the period, with eligible capital rising to N561 billion, above the regulatory minimum of N500 billion for banks with international authorisation. In addition, capital adequacy remained robust, with Capital Adequacy Ratio of 30.94 percent as at 31 December 2025 (FY 2024: 23.47 percent).

Ranked among the best banks in Nigeria, Fidelity Bank Plc is a full-fledged Commercial Deposit Money Bank serving over 9.1 million customers through digital banking channels, its 255 business offices in Nigeria and United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.

The Bank is the recipient of multiple local and international Awards, including the 2024 Excellence in Digital Transformation & MSME Banking Award by BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards; the 2024 Most Innovative Mobile Banking Application award for its Fidelity Mobile App by Global Business Outlook, and the 2024 Most Innovative Investment Banking Service Provider award by Global Brands Magazine. Additionally, the Bank was recognized as the Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria by the Euromoney Awards for Excellence and as the Export Financing Bank of the Year by the BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards.