IoT connectivity in Nigeria
Updated
In Nigeria, permanent roaming of foreign IoT SIMs is not allowed. Of the 4 mobile operators we track there, 0 have switched off 2G and 0 3G; the status of 2 networks is still unclear, as of 26 October 2026. Sources are listed below each table.
Permanent roaming
Not allowed. Several IoT connectivity vendors list Nigeria among countries that ban permanent roaming, but no NCC regulation or guideline stating this was found.
Sources: eseye.com, help.onomondo.com, counterpointresearch.com. Confidence: low.
2G and 3G shutdowns by operator
| Operator | Network | Status | Date | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9mobile | 2G | No plan announced | none | mobility.com.ng Formerly Etisalat Nigeria. Mobility (Jun 2025) says 9mobile will eventually have to retire 2G and 3G but gives no date, and says Nigerian 2G will not be shut down in the near future. No 9mobile or NCC date found. |
| 9mobile | 3G | Unclear | none | mobility.com.ng Formerly Etisalat Nigeria. Mobility (Jun 2025) says 9mobile will eventually have to shut down its 2G and 3G networks, without a date. No 9mobile or NCC announcement found. |
| Airtel Nigeria | 2G | No plan announced | none | mobility.com.ng Mobility (Jun 2025) says 2G in Nigeria will not be shut down in the near future. No Airtel or NCC date found. |
| Airtel Nigeria | 3G | No plan announced | none | mobility.com.ng Mobility (Jun 2025) says Airtel is not shutting down 3G yet; it renewed its 2100 MHz licence in 2023 for 15 years (3G service to around 2037). No NCC timetable found. |
| Globacom | 2G | No plan announced | none | mobility.com.ng Mobility (Jun 2025) says Glo will eventually have to retire 2G and 3G but gives no date, and says Nigerian 2G will not be shut down in the near future. No Glo or NCC date found. |
| Globacom | 3G | Unclear | none | mobility.com.ng Mobility (Jun 2025) says Glo will eventually have to shut down its 2G and 3G networks, without a date. No Glo or NCC announcement found. |
| MTN Nigeria | 2G | Planned | 31 December 2030 | emnify.com, mobility.com.ng Only an IoT tracker (emnify) gives a date, 31 Dec 2030. Mobility (Jun 2025) says 2G in Nigeria will not be shut down in the near future. No MTN or NCC announcement found. |
| MTN Nigeria | 3G | Planned | December 2025 | businessday.ng, mobility.com.ng Sources conflict: BusinessDay (Oct 2025) says MTN has reportedly communicated plans to fully discontinue 3G by Dec 2025; Mobility (Jun 2025) said MTN was not shutting 3G yet, having renewed its 2100 MHz licence in 2023 for 15 years. Date has passed without confirmation found; no NCC timetable. |
What it means for IoT devices in Nigeria
- 2G still runs on some networks, but plan new devices on 4G-based technologies (LTE Cat-1bis, LTE-M or NB-IoT where available): 2G is being closed across the region.
- Plan a local profile: foreign SIMs cannot stay indefinitely. An eSIM able to download a local profile, or a local SIM, avoids being cut off.
- Private delivery works the same from Nigeria: device data reaches your cloud over private links. See private delivery.
Other countries in Africa
Full tables: permanent roaming rules by country and 2G and 3G shutdown dates.
Frequently asked questions
Is permanent roaming allowed for IoT SIMs in Nigeria?
Several IoT connectivity vendors list Nigeria among countries that ban permanent roaming, but no NCC regulation or guideline stating this was found.
When is 2G switched off in Nigeria?
Status by operator, as of 26 October 2026. 9mobile: no shutdown plan announced; Airtel Nigeria: no shutdown plan announced; Globacom: no shutdown plan announced; MTN Nigeria: planned for 2030-12-31.
When is 3G switched off in Nigeria?
Status by operator, as of 26 October 2026. Airtel Nigeria: no shutdown plan announced; MTN Nigeria: planned for 2025-12.