In a surprising turn of events, Nigeria's internet usage has declined for the first time in months, according to a recent report. The country's data use decreased by 0.82% to 850,249.09 terabytes in September, down from 853,954.05 terabytes in August.

This decline is attributed to the recent disconnection of 64.3 million SIM cards by top telecommunications companies, including MTN, Airtel, Globacom, and 9mobile. The move was enforced by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to tighten security and reduce fraud, but it has had a significant impact on mobile subscriptions and data use.

The report reveals that active subscriptions have dropped to 154.6 million, down from 219 million in March. Globacom, 9mobile, MTN, and Airtel have all lost significant numbers of subscribers, with Globacom being the hardest hit, losing 43 million lines.

This decline in internet usage and mobile subscriptions has significant implications for the tech and startup community in Nigeria. With fewer people online, startups and businesses that rely on digital platforms may see a decline in engagement and revenue. The situation highlights the need for innovative solutions to address the challenges posed by the SIM card disconnections and to ensure that Nigerians remain connected to the digital economy.