Starlink suspends new orders in Nigeria’s busiest urban centers due to capacity limits

Starlink has hit a wall in Nigeria’s largest urban centres. The satellite internet service, launched to much fanfare in 2022, is no longer accepting new residential subscriptions in parts of Lagos and Abuja, citing network capacity limits.

Residents in Victoria Island, Ikoyi, Lagos Island, Surulere, and several Abuja districts are now greeted with “Sold Out” or “Service at Capacity” messages when trying to place orders. Instead, Starlink directs them to pay a deposit and join a waitlist until new slots open up.

This is not the first pause. In late 2024, Starlink suspended new orders across Nigeria due to regulatory hurdles and bandwidth shortages, before resuming activations nationwide in mid-2025. The latest restriction shows that demand in high-density zones is already overwhelming available infrastructure.

Why Starlink Is Restricting Sign-Ups

The decision reflects a balancing act. Every satellite cell has a user limit. Allowing unlimited activations in Lagos or Abuja would degrade performance for existing customers. To avoid network congestion, Starlink is freezing new sign-ups until additional capacity comes online.

Another layer of complexity is regulation. Earlier this year, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) pushed back against Starlink’s proposed price increases. Monthly subscriptions have climbed from about ₦38,000 to ₦56,000, and hardware now costs between ₦300,000 and ₦670,000. These pricing pressures add friction to scaling in a market already sensitive to foreign exchange volatility.

The Bigger Picture

Nigeria is one of Starlink’s largest African markets. Success here is seen as a benchmark for how satellite internet could bridge connectivity gaps across the continent. But the current bottleneck raises questions about how quickly Starlink can scale capacity in urban zones while keeping performance stable.

Competing providers may seize the moment. Local ISPs, fibre operators, and even alternative satellite firms could position themselves as more stable or cost-effective options, especially for businesses that cannot risk uncertain service timelines.

What Comes Next

For consumers in restricted areas, the only option is the waitlist. Starlink has not given a timeline for when capacity will be expanded. Industry observers will be watching for:

• New ground infrastructure or upgraded Points of Presence in Nigeria.

• Additional satellites positioned to serve West Africa.

• Regulatory shifts that could influence pricing and availability.

• Reports from existing users on whether performance is already dipping under strain.

Until then, Nigeria’s busiest cities have reached their Starlink ceiling, and the country’s connectivity future may hinge on how fast the company can scale without sacrificing service quality.