In a strategic move poised to reshape Nigeria’s telecom landscape, MTN Nigeria Communications Plc and 9mobile have unveiled a three-year nationwide roaming agreement, sanctioned by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). This partnership allows 9mobile subscribers to seamlessly access MTN’s extensive network, dramatically boosting coverage, service quality, and customer experience across the country.
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Expanding Reach for 9mobile Users
As of early July 2025, 9mobile has suffered a decline in its subscriber base—from over 22 million in 2016 to approximately 3.2 million users currently—primarily due to inconsistent network reach. The roaming agreement is aimed squarely at reversing this trend. By leveraging MTN’s well-established infrastructure, 9mobile users will regain access to reliable voice and data services virtually nationwide, offering a lifeline for retention and expansion.
Guardian reports indicate that 9mobile hopes to restore its lost 22 million customer base through this partnership. The arrangement officially launches in Lagos, with plans to complete the nationwide rollout by the end of July 2025.
A First of Its Kind in Africa
9mobile CEO, Obafemi Banigbe, and MTN’s Chief Enterprise Business Officer, Lynda Saint-Nwafor, jointly announced the plan at a Lagos press event on July 4, confirming that all technical preparations would wrap up by the weekend of July 5–6, clearing the way for full activation.
Banigbe emphasised that this is a pioneering arrangement—not just for Nigeria, but for West, Central, and East Africa—as 9mobile customers will now tap into MTN’s radio infrastructure where their network previously fell short. He clarified that this isn’t a merger, but a commercial partnership designed to enhance operational efficiency and customer service without merging brands or management.
Strategic and Economic Motives
The telecom sector, particularly in emerging markets, has long grappled with expensive and duplicative infrastructure. Network assets typically constitute 70–75% of telcos’ capital costs, making infrastructure-sharing a compelling cost-saving strategy. By accessing shared infrastructure, operators can cut capital expenditures, redirect savings into customer experience, and avoid needless duplication.
Banigbe shared 9mobile’s mantra: “build infrastructure where necessary, share where possible.” He thanked NCC’s Executive Vice Chairman Aminu Maida and the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, for enabling an ecosystem that prioritises consumer value and resource efficiency.
MTN Commends the Collaboration
Karl Toriola, CEO of MTN Nigeria, described this as a “milestone for the sector,” celebrating the shift from competition to “co‑opetition”—a blend of cooperation and healthy rivalry. Lynda Saint‑Nwafor echoed this sentiment, noting that the agreement aligns with the NCC’s goals of digital inclusion and industry sustainability.
The deal also includes plans for spectrum leasing: 9mobile is expected to lease its 900 MHz (5 MHz) and 1800 MHz (15 MHz) spectrum bands to MTN, further boosting network capacity and quality.
What It Means for You: The Subscriber
For 9mobile customers, the benefits are immediate and tangible:
- Wider coverage: Even in areas where 9mobile previously struggled, the MTN network now ensures connectivity.
- Improved call quality & data speeds: Roaming on MTN’s mature and optimised infrastructure.
- Customer retention & peace of mind: Reduced frustration from dropped connections or data blackspots.
- Access to emerging technologies: Better platform to roll out 4G/5G services, fintech, IoT, and enterprise solutions.
As Banigbe noted, this marks a “bold resurgence” for 9mobile, helping them “meet the needs of youthful and enterprise users” city by city.
Regulatory & Industry Impact
The NCC has long championed infrastructure sharing as a means of reducing duplication, cutting costs, and rapidly bridging the digital divide in underserved regions. The MTN–9mobile partnership demonstrates a successful, large-scale implementation of this vision.
This kind of collaboration raises the bar: it represents a new framework for healthy competition and co-investment. Telcos can now allocate funds to innovation, customer service, and emerging technologies instead of parallel network buildouts.
The Road Ahead
Key milestones and timelines include:
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| July 5–6, 2025 | Full nationwide rollout across Nigeria is expected |
| End of July 2025 | Full nationwide rollout across Nigeria expected |
| Next 3 Years | Spectrum leasing and phased infrastructure-sharing implementation begin |
Both telcos reaffirmed their shared commitment to this vision and thanked stakeholders—NCC leadership and government officials—who supported and facilitated the pipeline to progress.
Broader Implications for Nigeria’s Digital Economy
By enabling seamless, affordable access to telecom services, this deal supports Nigeria’s broader digital transformation strategy:
- Digital inclusion: Especially in rural and underserved communities.
- Youth empowerment: Better mobile access supports education, entrepreneurship, fintech, edtech, and health-tech.
- Investor confidence: Infrastructure efficiency promotes a healthier telecom ecosystem.
- Competitor stimulus: Other providers may pursue similar partnerships.
Conclusion
The 9mobile MTN nationwide roaming deal stands as a testament to what competitive collaboration can achieve. It breaks new ground in Africa, bringing restored connectivity to millions, optimizing costs, and laying the foundation for future innovation. The next months will be pivotal as both operators activate services nationwide, and tens of millions of users witness the transformation.
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