MTN, 9mobile Seal National Roaming Deal To Boost Network Access Nationwide

TAIWO ISRAEL

MTN Nigeria and 9mobile have sealed a landmark national roaming agreement, a strategic partnership designed to enhance call connectivity for millions of mobile users across the country.

Announced yesterday in Lagos, the three-year deal will allow 9mobile subscribers to seamlessly access MTN’s extensive radio network infrastructure wherever MTN has coverage — ensuring uninterrupted voice calls and wider network reach for 9mobile customers.

Speaking at the official signing, Chief Executive Officer of 9mobile, Obafemi Banigbe, described the agreement as a major milestone for the telecom industry and a win for customers. “We’re excited to partner with MTN on this national roaming initiative. It allows our subscribers to tap into MTN’s widespread radio access network, improving call quality and coverage across Nigeria,” he said.

Banigbe reaffirmed 9mobile’s ongoing commitment to upgrading its core network systems, payment infrastructure, and transmission backbone, noting that the roaming deal aligns with the Nigerian Communications Commission’s (NCC) policy on industry collaboration to drive efficient, reliable telecom services.

“While we continue investing in our own infrastructure, this partnership is a smart opportunity to leverage MTN’s existing nationwide coverage, ultimately delivering better service to our customers,” Banigbe added.

The collaboration reflects a growing industry trend toward resource-sharing among operators to bridge network gaps, reduce service delivery costs, and accelerate digital connectivity across Nigeria’s urban and rural communities.

Chief Enterprise Business Officer at MTN Nigeria, Lynda Saint-Nwafor, who represented the Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria, Dr. Karl Toriola, commended the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani and Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida and the entire leadership of the NCC for their support in pushing through the partnership.

“We are very grateful to our minister, Dr. Bosun Tijani, and the NCC for championing the drive for cost-efficient industry partnership and collaboration. At MTN, we are very committed to driving collaboration and we are very committed to pushing the boundaries and ensuring that the people of Nigeria get the best that is possible,” Saint-Nwafor said.

Fielding questions from journalists, Banigbe said testing and trial testing would continue till the end of July, when the connectivity that would enable access to MTN radio infrastructure across the country, would be completed.

“So what 9mobile subscribers need to when we roll out nationwide is to just switch back their mobile phone on. If the number is registered, and you have a valid NIN that is linked to your phone, that means you don’t need to re-register your number. And if you don’t need to re-register your number, all you simply need to do is recharge. If you have not recharged in a long time, beyond the time of 90 days, you will recharge and then you will be able to access the 9mobile network by leveraging the MTN radio infrastructure,” Banigbe said