By Erewunmi Peace

Elon Musk’s satellite internet company, Starlink, has reached capacity in some of Nigeria’s largest cities, forcing the service to stop accepting new residential customers.

Prospective subscribers in urban hubs such as Lagos and Abuja have been met with “Sold Out” notices or messages indicating that service is currently unavailable in their areas. Instead, they are being asked to join a waitlist until more capacity becomes available.

Industry analysts say the surge in demand reflects Nigeria’s growing appetite for reliable internet connectivity. However, the capacity freeze raises questions about Starlink’s ability to scale effectively in one of its most important African markets.

While Starlink was initially hailed as a game-changer for bridging Nigeria’s digital divide, especially in rural areas, the latest development suggests that the company’s infrastructure may be struggling to keep pace with urban demand.

Beyond technical constraints, Starlink has also faced regulatory and pricing challenges in Nigeria. The cost of its equipment and subscription has increased, making affordability a concern for many households.

Despite these hurdles, Starlink remains one of the fastest-growing internet providers in the country, and the company is expected to expand satellite coverage and ground infrastructure in the coming months.

For now, Nigerian customers in saturated areas will have to wait for Starlink to boost capacity before they can get connected.