MTN, 9Mobile In Historic Partnership, Push For Wider Access

L-R: Abolaji Idowu, Chief Financial Officer (CFO), 9Mobile; Omotayo Ojutalayo, General Manager, Business Development, MTN Nigeria; Obafemi Banigbe, CEO, 9Mobile; Lynda Saint-Nwafor, Chief Enterprise Business Officer, MTN Nigeria, representing the CEO, Dr. Karl Toriola; Ayham Moussa, Chief Operating Officer (COO), MTN Nigeria; John Vasikiran, Chief Operating Officer (COO), 9Mobile, at the media parley for the national roaming agreement between MTN Nigeria and 9Mobile held in Lagos on July 3

In a significant development set to reshape Nigeria’s telecommunications landscape, MTN Nigeria and 9Mobile have officially signed a National Roaming Agreement.

This pioneering partnership, the first of its kind in Nigeria, will enable 9Mobile subscribers to seamlessly access and benefit from MTN Nigeria’s network infrastructure across the country.

The rollout of this agreement commences this July.

This strategic collaboration marks a pivotal moment for the Nigerian telecom industry, promising enhanced connectivity and improved service delivery, particularly in areas where 9Mobile’s coverage may be limited.

Such national roaming agreements are globally recognised as critical instruments for fostering industry collaboration and optimising infrastructure utilisation.

For instance, similar agreements have been implemented in countries like South Africa (between Cell C and MTN) and France (between Free Mobile and Orange), demonstrating their effectiveness in expanding network reach and promoting efficiency within the sector.

These partnerships are vital for reducing duplication of infrastructure investments and ensuring broader connectivity, especially in underserved regions.

Lynda Saint-Nwafor, MTN Nigeria’s Chief Enterprise Business Officer, representing the CEO, Dr Karl Toriola, highlighted the pioneering nature of the collaboration.

“We at MTN are excited to be pioneering this groundbreaking partnership. It has not happened before in Nigeria on this scale, and it is exciting to note that this is a win-win for customers. We are very happy to take the lead in fostering the growth of this industry,” Saint-Nwafor said.

She added, “We are grateful to our Minister, Dr. Bosun Tijani, Hon. Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, for championing the drive for collaboration and cost efficiency. As MTN, we believe in this country, and we are ready to put our money where our mouth is. We look forward to very exciting times for the people of Nigeria.”

Obafemi Banigbe, CEO of 9Mobile, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “9Mobile subscribers will now be able to utilise the extensive infrastructure of MTN Nigeria across the country. This agreement is a testament to our commitment to providing our customers with superior service and seamless connectivity, wherever they are in Nigeria.”

The agreement underscores a shared vision for a more connected Nigeria, aligning with the broader objectives of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to ensure ubiquitous mobile coverage and enhance the overall customer experience.

By leveraging existing infrastructure, this partnership is expected to drive operational efficiencies and contribute significantly to the sustainability and evolution of the telecommunications ecosystem.