Telecommunications giants MTN Nigeria and 9mobile have begun pilot testing a national radio access network-sharing agreement, marking a major shift in Nigeria’s telecom landscape. The full rollout is expected by the end of July, subject to final system validation.
The infrastructure-sharing deal, backed by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), allows 9mobile to utilise MTN’s extensive radio access network while maintaining control of its own core systems, including billing and subscriber data.
Announcing the development at a joint press conference in Lagos on Thursday, 9mobile CEO, Obafemi Banigbe, described the agreement as a cornerstone of the company’s revival plan.
“We are pleased to announce a three-year national infrastructure-sharing partnership with MTN. This agreement allows us to extend our coverage significantly by accessing MTN’s radio access network in areas where we previously had limited or no presence,” Banigbe said.
He clarified that the partnership is not a merger, but a strategic commercial collaboration aimed at increasing operational efficiency and improving user experience.
The move comes at a critical time for 9mobile, which has experienced a dramatic decline in market share—from over 23 million subscribers in 2015 to just about three million in 2025, representing roughly 1.9% of the mobile telecom market. The sharp drop has been attributed to poor network quality, limited coverage, and customer dissatisfaction.
According to data from the NCC, the company lost over 6,000 subscribers to other networks in just two months at the end of 2024, with minimal gains from incoming ports.
Banigbe noted that the agreement with MTN, which has over 90 million subscribers, will help 9mobile redirect resources toward improving customer service and innovation instead of spending heavily on duplicating infrastructure.
“This is not a favour. Our customers remain 9mobile customers, and we remain fully responsible for their service experience. What this does is enable us to serve them better,” he added.
Speaking on behalf of MTN, Chief Enterprise Business Officer Lynda Saint-Nwafor described the partnership as a forward-thinking move that sets a new benchmark for collaboration in the industry.
“This is a shift from competition to 'co-opetition'—where operators cooperate to build efficiencies while continuing to compete on value and innovation,” she said.
Saint-Nwafor commended the NCC and its Executive Vice Chairman, Dr Aminu Maida, for enabling a regulatory framework that supports shared infrastructure, and lauded the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, for championing shared infrastructure as a national priority.
She added that the move aligns with global telecom trends, particularly in markets with limited spectrum and capital, and marks a transition from basic tower sharing to advanced radio access network sharing.
“This partnership is how we build a smarter, more sustainable telecom sector. It will expand access, improve broadband reach, and lower costs for everyone,” she said.
The pilot phase of the partnership is already under way in selected areas, with both parties targeting a full-scale national deployment before the end of July.
According to Banigbe, the collaboration will not only benefit both companies but also improve coverage in underserved areas and contribute to national broadband targets.
“This is not just about survival. It’s about transformation. It’s a bold step forward for 9mobile, and a signal to the industry that partnership and innovation can drive meaningful change,” he said.
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