In a bold and transformative step, Nigeria’s telecommunications sector has reached a historic milestone with MTN Nigeria and 9mobile entering into a strategic network infrastructure-sharing agreement, following approval by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
This pioneering three-year agreement enables 9mobile subscribers to roam seamlessly on MTN’s nationwide network, significantly expanding coverage and improving service quality, particularly in underserved regions. More than just a technical partnership, the deal marks a paradigm shift from competition to “co-opetition”, a collaborative approach that prioritizes access over ownership, in line with global best practices and the NCC’s vision for a more connected, efficient, and inclusive digital economy.
“This is a groundbreaking agreement, the first of its kind not just in Nigeria, but across West, Central, and even East Africa,” said Obafemi Banigbe, CEO of 9mobile. “It reflects our belief that access to infrastructure, when secured sustainably, is far more valuable than duplicating it. We’re proud to be pioneering this bold collaboration with MTN.”
Banigbe emphasised the cost-saving benefits of infrastructure sharing, noting that trenching fibre alone can consume up to 75% of network deployment costs, between $10,000 and $15,000 per kilometre in cities like Lagos.
“Our mantra at 9mobile is simple: build infrastructure where necessary, share it where possible,” he added. “This approach supports both business sustainability and national development by easing FX pressures and supporting the Central Bank’s efforts.”
The agreement also paves the way for deeper collaboration, including a planned spectrum leasing arrangement, in which 9mobile will lease its 900MHz (5MHz) and 1800MHz (15MHz) bands to MTN for three years, further enhancing MTN’s network depth and service quality.
Karl Toriola, CEO of MTN Nigeria, represented by Lynda Saint-Nwafor, Chief Enterprise Business Officer, echoed the significance of the partnership, “To deliver the scale and quality of connectivity that Nigeria’s 220+ million people demand, collaboration is essential. Private sector players, government institutions, and investors must work together,” Saint-Nwafor stated. “This agreement demonstrates what’s possible when telcos move from competition to collaboration.”
Toriola also acknowledged the vital support of Dr. Bosun Tijani, Honourable Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, and Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, for their leadership in creating an enabling environment for innovation.
“For infrastructure like fibre, collaboration isn’t optional, it’s a necessity if we’re to build the ecosystem Nigeria needs,” Toriola added.
For Nigerian consumers, the implications are profound. This partnership unlocks, expanded network coverage, faster internet and better call quality, Improved service affordability, accelerated readiness for technologies like 5G. By embracing shared infrastructure as a growth enabler, MTN and 9mobile are charting a new course for Nigeria’s digital future, one defined by collaboration, innovation, and national impact