MTN Nigeria and 9mobile, two prominent telecommunications operators, have officially announced a groundbreaking national roaming partnership set to take effect next week, with full national rollout expected by the end of July. This strategic alliance, revealed at a joint press conference in Lagos, marks a significant shift in Nigeria's telecoms sector by enabling both companies to share their radio infrastructure. The primary objective of this three-year commercial agreement is to bolster network coverage, enhance service quality for their respective customers, and contribute to the overall improvement of telecommunications across Nigeria.

The partnership is particularly crucial for 9mobile, which has faced significant challenges in recent years. Customers have long complained of persistent network failures, leading many to abandon its service. Data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) indicates that 9mobile's active subscriber base plunged from over 22 million at its peak in 2016 to just 3.2 million by January 2025. Through this agreement, 9mobile aims to leverage MTN's extensive infrastructure in areas where its own coverage is limited, thereby extending its services and hoping to regain a substantial portion of its lost subscriber base. Conversely, MTN will also benefit by utilizing 9mobile's infrastructure in locations where its network may not be as robust, making it a mutually beneficial "win-win" scenario. Both chief executive officers clarified that this is a commercial arrangement where each party compensates the other for services rendered, rather than a freeloading agreement.

Mr. Obafemi Banigbe, the Chief Executive Officer of 9mobile, emphasized the historical significance of the collaboration, noting it is the first of its kind to be implemented in West, East, and Central Africa. He highlighted that the partnership aligns with 9mobile's "Build where we must, share where we can" philosophy, ensuring capital efficiency and optimized returns. For MTN, CEO Karl Toriola, represented by Chief Enterprises Officer Lynda Saint-Nwafor, affirmed the company's commitment to the partnership, stating it will help boost the country's economy, drive industry collaboration, and support the NCC’s vision of a fully connected Nigeria. This initiative is also integral to MTN's Ambition 2025 strategy, which focuses on shared value creation and broadening access to digital life for all Nigerians.

For 9mobile subscribers, the transition is designed to be seamless. Existing users with active lines linked to their National Identification Number (NIN) will automatically connect to the enhanced 9mobile network, now supercharged by MTN’s expansive reach, without needing to re-register. Testing and trial phases are ongoing and are expected to be completed by the end of July, at which point nationwide connectivity will be fully enabled. It was also clarified that this is strictly an infrastructure-sharing agreement and not a porting arrangement; both telecommunications providers will continue to retain their individual customer bases and distinct service identities.

The agreement marks a pivotal moment in Nigeria's telecommunications landscape, demonstrating a shift towards smart, collaborative growth strategies. The executives drew parallels to the industry's evolution in tower-sharing, which began in 2014, suggesting that shared radio access networks represent the next logical step in minimizing capital waste and enhancing service delivery. This proactive step is seen as crucial for meeting the escalating digital and communication demands of Nigeria's rapidly growing population, projected to reach 400 million in the next two decades. By prioritizing efficient resource allocation and fostering "co-opetition," MTN and 9mobile are not only strengthening their individual networks but also laying a robust foundation for the entire industry's sustainable growth.