MTN Nigeria Communications Plc has finalized a significant three-year spectrum lease agreement with T2mobile, formerly known as 9Mobile, set to commence on October 1, 2025. This strategic deal involves MTN leasing 5 MHz FDD in the 900 MHz band and 15 MHz FDD in the 1800 MHz band. Crucially, this agreement is intricately linked to a national roaming pact, enabling T2mobile's subscribers to seamlessly utilize MTN’s more extensive network infrastructure in regions where T2mobile's own coverage is limited or weak. The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has already granted its approval for this arrangement, highlighting its significance within the Nigerian telecommunications landscape.

In a related development, MTN Nigeria will not be renewing its existing one-year spectrum lease with Natcom Development & Investment Limited (NTEL), which is scheduled to expire on November 29, 2025. The expiring NTEL lease covered 5 MHz in the 900 MHz band and 10 MHz in the 1800 MHz band, initially across 17 states and later extended nationwide. This decision marks a strategic realignment for MTN, as it phases out one partnership while forging a new, integrated one with T2mobile, designed to enhance network capacity and service delivery.

The new lease and roaming agreement are deeply rooted in MTN's overarching “Ambition 2025” strategy. This strategy emphasizes expanding broadband access, achieving greater cost-efficiency through strategic partnerships and infrastructure sharing, and adopting environmentally sustainable practices. According to MTN's Chief Executive Officer, Karl Toriola, this “integrated approach, combining spectrum trade and national roaming,” underscores MTN’s commitment to reliable, high-quality connectivity and industry collaboration, while Uto Ukpanah, Company Secretary, highlighted its role in advancing digital inclusion across Nigeria.

For T2mobile, which recently rebranded from 9Mobile following its acquisition by Lighthouse Telecoms, this arrangement is a cornerstone of its recovery and repositioning efforts. The company, which is focused on stabilizing and modernizing its operations, can now leverage MTN’s robust network footprint to maintain service continuity in areas where building proprietary infrastructure would be financially prohibitive or logistically challenging. Recent data from the NCC indicated that T2mobile gained 290,601 new subscribers in July 2025, suggesting early signs of stabilization, with this agreement poised to further support its growth.

The benefits of this spectrum lease extend to both operators and consumers. For MTN, it significantly boosts network capacity, accommodating the growing demand for data and voice services. For subscribers, the expectation is tangible improvements in service quality, including stronger signals, fewer dropped calls, and faster data speeds, particularly in densely populated urban centers and underserved rural communities. This collaborative model also exemplifies a growing trend in Nigeria's telecom sector, where the NCC encourages spectrum sharing and trading to optimize resource utilization and accelerate connectivity goals. By leasing spectrum rather than outright acquisition, MTN reduces capital expenditure and champions resource efficiency, aligning with global sustainable telecoms practices.

The implications for NTEL are notable. Having historically relied on leasing its legacy spectrum (from the former state-run NITEL) as its primary revenue source, the non-renewal by MTN necessitates finding other clients or re-evaluating its spectrum strategy. Analysts have observed that MTN, through previous leases, effectively became the main user of NTEL's most valuable spectrum. This shift underscores MTN's strategic move towards more dynamic and integrated partnerships like the one with T2mobile, which combine spectrum resources with national roaming capabilities.

Looking ahead, industry analysts anticipate that this collaboration between MTN and T2mobile, coupled with MTN's onboarding of Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs), will foster a more competitive and innovative telecom ecosystem in Nigeria. Consumers could benefit from more competitive pricing, a broader array of innovative services, and a stronger push towards ubiquitous broadband access. Ultimately, improved network capacity and wider coverage are critical for advancing Nigeria's broader digital economy agenda, facilitating access to essential digital services in sectors like education, healthcare, commerce, and government, thereby helping to bridge the nation’s digital divide and drive inclusive socio-economic growth.