Why Lagos, Ogun had highest active voice, internet subscribers in Q2 2018

Lagos and Ogun state are the major commercial hubs in the country and this might be the reason why these states recorded the highest number of active voice and internet subscription in the second quarter (Q2) of 2018, according to analysts.
Based on the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) Q2 2018 telecommunication report, Lagos State had the highest number of subscribers in terms of active voice and internet per State closely followed by Ogun state.
Lagos state recorded 21.3 million and 14.3 million for voice and internet subscription respectively. Ogun state had 9.9 million and 6.6 million for voice and internet subscription
Ayo Akinwunmi, Head of Research, FSDH Merchant Bank said, “Lagos is the commercial capital of Nigeria and a lot of business activities take place in this country. In Ogun state, a lot of manufacturing activities take place there. And with the large market size in Lagos, people rely heavily on internet to carry out their businesses.”
However, Lagos and Ogun state continued to maintain their position as the highest in voice and internet subscription from Q1 till date.
“I think it is more of enlightenment and also in terms of business activities. Lagos and Ogun state are commercial hubs. Such that a lot of people who cannot set up factories or businesses in Lagos end up starting them up in the neighbouring state which is Ogun state,” Ayodeji Ebo, MD, Afrinvest Securities Limited said on phone.
Bayelsa and Ebonyi states have the least number of subscribers for both voice and internet. For active voice subscription, Bayelsa state and Ebonyi recorded 1.1 million and 1.4 million respectively. For internet subscription, 743,643 and 842,099 was recorded in Bayelsa and Ebonyi respectively.
Akinwunmi further said, “The only thing that is going on there is oil exploration and most people are not living there so this may also be the reason why they are the lowest.”
Also the report reflected that a total of 162.5 million subscribers were active on voice as against 149.3 million in Q1 2018 which represented 0.09 percent increase in subscribers’ base.
Similarly, a total of 103.5 million subscribers were active on internet as against 100.9 million in Q1 2018 which represented 2.6 percent growth in subscribers’ base.
MTN has the highest share of voice subscription and followed by GLO, AIRTEL, EMTS and Others respectively. Similarly, MTN has the highest share of internet subscription and followed by GLO, AIRTEL, EMTS and others.

BUNMI BAILEY