LAGOS, Nigeria — After 22 years of connecting people, Microsoft don announce shutdown of Skype on May 5, 2025, marking end of one era for the pioneering video calling platform. Launched for the first time in 2003, Skype quickly turned to be vital tool for free voice and video calls, peaking with over 300 million monthly users in mid-2010s.
Skype go change how people dey communicate across borders, long before Zoom and FaceTime make their entrance. Microsoft, wey buy Skype for $8.5 billion in 2011, aimed to integrate the app fully into their communication strategy. However, as competition from platforms like WhatsApp, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams increase, Skype begin lose ground.
On February 28, Microsoft make e clear say the app go retire on May 5 to refocus on Teams as their main communication tool. This shutdown go affect all users, both free and paid, although Skype for Business go still dey operate temporarily. Microsoft don encourage users to move to Teams by utilizing the “Start using Teams” feature, where all Skype chats and contact go transfer seamlessly with same login credentials.
“Skype don play essential role to shape modern communication and support many meaningful moments,” Jeff Teper, Microsoft’s President of Collaborative Apps and Platforms, talk earlier this year.
As part of the transition, users get until January 2026 to download or migrate their data before e go delete permanently. Microsoft Teams don present free version wey promise seamless chatting, video calling, and file sharing.
For example, Weng from Macau, China, connect with her husband Owen via Skype during their long-distance relationship. “Skype na very important part of our relationship,” she share. The two dey now happily married after many Skype sessions helped bring dem together.
Furthermore, Erica from New Zealand also highlight how Skype help her grieve after her husband die in 2017. “I send posthumous message to his Skype account and it help me find closure,” she explain.
Susan Bertotti, wey don dey live for Chile for over 20 years, also share her story of how Skype connect her with her mama Vera for England. “Skype don be constant for our relationship and losing it go be big blow for me,” she express.
Meanwhile, Stan Calderwood wey dey use Skype for business also express concern about the shutdown. “You no fit call people wey no dey on WhatsApp or Teams,” he say as he search for low-cost alternatives. Microsoft confirm say users fit still transfer their chats and contacts to Teams, while Skype for Business remain for limited users.
With the phaseout of Skype, wey don be part of many lives since 2003, Microsoft dey encourage all users to embrace Teams for continued video calls and chats. The time don reach wey we go say goodbye to one of the most recognizable tech platforms of this century.
