The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has granted approval for a groundbreaking three-year national roaming agreement between MTN Nigeria Communications Plc and Emerging Markets Telecommunications Services Limited (9Mobile), marking a significant milestone in Nigeria’s telecommunications sector collaboration.
The comprehensive partnership enables 9Mobile’s 2.8 million subscribers to seamlessly access MTN’s extensive network infrastructure nationwide, particularly in areas where 9Mobile currently lacks adequate coverage.
The deal also presents the possibility for over 20 million subscribers who had earlier deserted 9Mobile network to reconnect their SIM cards and ride on MTN infrastructure.
This strategic arrangement addresses critical connectivity gaps while promoting efficient utilization of existing telecommunications infrastructure.
In an official statement to the Nigerian Exchange and investing public, MTN Nigeria emphasised the agreement’s role in fostering industry collaboration and enhancing operational efficiencies.
The partnership allows 9Mobile to leverage MTN’s robust network coverage, which serves over 90.4 million active subscribers across Nigeria’s 36 states.
Industry Leadership Perspective
MTN Nigeria CEO Karl Toriola highlighted the agreement’s broader significance for Nigeria’s telecommunications landscape:
“This partnership represents a transformative step in our commitment to driving industry collaboration, improving customer experience, and supporting the NCC’s vision of a fully connected Nigeria.
Delivering telecommunications services at the scale Nigeria requires demands strong collaboration between private sector operators, public institutions, and long-term investors.
“This agreement demonstrates the remarkable outcomes possible through strategic partnerships, and we are proud to announce it following months of dedicated groundwork.”
Rollout Begins July
Addressing journalists at a joint press conference in Lagos on Thursday, both companies confirmed the rollout of the national roaming service would commence before the end of July.
According to the Chief Executive Officer of 9Mobile, Obafemi Bamigbe, “We are currently testing the service in some regions just to make sure that we are working correctly without any interruption. We expect that all our tests will be completed over the weekend.
“So, we expect that within the month of July, we will be able to have a rollout across the country based on the outcome of the tests that we have done.”
Speaking further on the deal, Banigbe said the partnership was a first in Nigeria and across West, Central, and East Africa, and would redefine connectivity for millions.
He emphasised the strategic importance of the collaboration and said it had been long anticipated by stakeholders.
“It is not a merger or coalition, but a commercial partnership focused on operational efficiency,” Banigbe clarified.
He added that the agreement reflects 9mobile’s strategy to build only where necessary and share where possible.
Banigbe noted the move would enhance customer experience and reduce capital expenditure, attracting more telecom investors.
“This collaboration allows expansion without duplicating infrastructure, which is highly capital-intensive in telecom.
“With Nigeria’s population expected to hit 400 million in 20–25 years, and 70% under 30, the market remains ripe for growth,” he said.
Also speaking on the deal, MTN Nigeria’s CEO, Karl Toriola, who was represented by the company’s Chief Enterprise Business Officer, Lynda Saint-Nwafor, said the agreement exemplifies “co-opetition”, a blend of cooperation and competition in telecom.
“This is pioneering. We are proud to move from pure rivalry to cooperation in efficiency, while still competing in service and innovation,” she stated.
Regulatory Framework and Infrastructure Sharing
The NCC has consistently championed infrastructure sharing models, including shared towers and fiber networks, as effective strategies to reduce capital and operational costs while expanding telecommunications access across Nigeria.
This roaming agreement aligns with the commission’s broader vision of creating a competitive and sustainable telecommunications market that prioritizes nationwide access over individual infrastructure expansion.
It can be noted that This national agreement builds upon a successful 2020 pilot program between MTN and 9Mobile in Ondo State, which served as a testing ground for evaluating roaming services’ impact on service delivery.
The pilot’s success provided valuable insights that informed the development of this comprehensive national partnership.
Industry pundits believe the three-year agreement sets a precedent for future telecommunications partnerships in Nigeria, demonstrating how strategic collaboration can enhance service quality, optimize infrastructure investment, promote market sustainability and support national connectivity goals.
They further argued that the success of this national roaming arrangement will likely influence similar partnerships across Nigeria’s telecommunications sector, potentially reshaping how operators approach network expansion and service delivery in Africa’s largest telecommunications market.
