MTN, Nigeria’s largest telecommunications company, is marking its 25th year of operation in the country, a significant milestone for a giant that has navigated numerous challenges and triumphs since its launch in 2001. Despite experiencing notable ups and downs, including recent troubles, MTN has consistently maintained its position as the most expansive and widely available network in Nigeria.

Among the key achievements and challenges highlighted in its recent history, MTN Nigeria saw its active subscriber base climb to approximately 65.7 million. This substantial figure underscores its dominance, representing about 37.2% of the total subscribers in the country. According to National Communications Commission (NCC) statistics from October, MTN's active subscriber count of 65,707,899 users surpassed its closest rival, Globacom, by 18 million subscribers, solidifying its market leadership.

The company also experienced significant leadership changes, with Mr. Pascal Dozie, the former MTN Nigeria Board Chairman, retiring in September 2019 after 18 years of dedicated service. He was joined by five other Non-Executive Directors: Col. Sani Bello (Rtd) Vice Chairman, Mallam Ahmed Dasuki, Mr. Babatunde Folawiyo, Mr. Gbenga Oyebode MFR, and Chief Victor Odili OON, marking a new era for the telecom giant's board.

Financially, MTN Nigeria demonstrated robust performance despite past setbacks, such as the N330 billion fine paid to the NCC. Its second-quarter report for 2019 revealed a remarkable 34.8% spike in profits, increasing from N73.3 billion in 2018 to N98.9 billion. This surge contributed to a 12% rise in total revenue, reaching a record N566.9 billion.

However, the year 2019 also brought significant challenges, particularly the retaliations against MTN in Nigeria following xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa. As a South African-owned company, MTN faced severe backlash, with some of its offices in Nigeria being attacked and burnt. Despite condemning the xenophobic acts, the heightened tensions forced the company to temporarily close its doors across the country for several days.

A pivotal moment for MTN Nigeria was its listing on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) in 2019, with a $6 billion stock. This move was a fulfillment of a 2016 agreement with the NCC to settle a $1 billion fine. Opting for a “listing by introduction,” which allowed existing investors to trade their shares, MTN Nigeria quickly became one of the most capitalized companies on the NSE, boasting a market value of N2.82 trillion as of August 2019. Despite its global presence in approximately 21 countries, Nigeria remains one of MTN's most critical and highest-revenue markets.