Bosun Tijani, the minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, stated these in his LinkedIn post on ‘telecom service quality’, in which the Federal Government acknowledged that Nigeria’s connectivity challenges were largely structural, driven by years of underinvestment in digital infrastructure and operational constraints affecting telecom operators.

Recall that the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), in March 2026, directed mobile network operators to compensate subscribers who experience poor network quality, marking a major shift towards consumer protection in the country’s telecommunications sector.

The Commission stated that subscribers should not bear the burden of service failures where operators fall short of prescribed Quality of Service (QoS) standards.

Under the new directive, telecom operators will be required to provide compensation directly to affected users for breaches of key performance indicators (KPIs).

Now, the Minister even said the government is tackling challenges faced by operators through both long-term infrastructure investments and immediate sector stabilisation reforms.

Tijani reiterated that the government has secured funding led by the World Bank and established a special purpose vehicle under Project BRIDGE to deliver nationwide open-access fibre infrastructure.

He also revealed that fibre deployment, alongside new telecom tower rollouts under the Nigerian Universal Communication Access Project (NUCAP), would commence before the end of the year, while satellite capabilities are also being expanded.

“These investments will address the foundational gaps in our digital infrastructure over the next two to five years and permanently transform connectivity across Nigeria,” the statement noted.

The Minister explained that the government’s target is to ensure that small businesses and households can access reliable high-speed fibre internet services instead of depending solely on unstable mobile connections and dongles.

On sector reforms, the government said it had taken difficult decisions aimed at restoring sustainability in the telecommunications industry.

These include tariff adjustments, recognition of telecom infrastructure as Critical National Infrastructure, tax harmonisation efforts, and broader macroeconomic reforms.

According to the statement, telecom operators are now operating in a more stable, transparent, and market-driven environment, with many returning to profitability.

Tijani stressed that operators including MTN Nigeria, Airtel Nigeria, Globacom and T2 now have both the capacity and resources to resolve persistent network issues and improve customer experience.

The Minister also reaffirmed the regulatory independence of the Nigerian Communications Commission, stating that the Commission has been fully empowered to monitor network performance, enforce service standards, and ensure compliance across the telecom industry.

He said the government would continue to rely on periodic reports from the NCC as well as feedback from Nigerians, including complaints shared across public platforms, to assess operators’ performance.

“Going forward, we expect to see clear and measurable improvements in call quality, data performance, and coverage,” the Minister stated.

He added that operators delivering quality service would be recognised, while those failing to meet expectations should expect regulatory sanctions from the Commission.

The statement comes amid growing consumer frustration over poor network quality, dropped calls, slow internet speeds, and inconsistent data services despite recent increases in telecom tariffs.

The data shows that all four major service providers posted growth within the one-month period, signaling sustained demand for internet services across the country.

Market leader MTN Nigeria maintained its dominance, growing its subscriber base from 82.21 million in February to 82.53 million in March. Airtel Nigeria also recorded an increase, rising from 54.07 million to 54.22 million subscribers.

In the same vein, Globacom expanded its user base from 15.39 million to 15.56 million within the review period.

Meanwhile, 9mobile, now operating under the T2 brand, posted a notable uptick, growing from 805,605 subscribers in February to 847,225 in March.

Overall, the industry added approximately 670,000 new internet users in March, reinforcing the steady growth trajectory of Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.

Analysts say the incremental rise reflects ongoing investments in network expansion, improved service delivery, and increasing reliance on digital platforms for communication, commerce, and entertainment.

The continued growth underscores the critical role of the telecom sector in supporting Nigeria’s digital economy ambitions, even as operators navigate infrastructure and regulatory challenges.

The partnership aims to modernize T2’s Business Support Systems (BSS) and Operations Support Systems (OSS), driving T2’s mission to become Nigeria’s Digital Lifestyle Partner and ushering in a digital renaissance in telecom.

The high-profile signing ceremony held during Gitex Nigeria, brought together industry leaders, innovators, and stakeholders from across Africa and beyond.

This partnership marks a significant milestone in T2’s four-phase transformation strategy: Stabilisation, Modernisation, Transformation, and Growth as T2 positions itself for a powerful comeback in Nigeria’s competitive telecom sector.

This structured approach underscores its commitment to restoring competitiveness, driving customer-centric innovation, and enabling Nigeria’s digital future.

With strategic initiatives such as national roaming already underway, and a recent multi-million-dollar infrastructure deal with Huawei, creating a powerful dual-pronged strategy that modernizes network operations, access to infrastructure and digital customer engagement platforms, T2 is poised to redefine the digital experience for millions of Nigerian customers.

Together, these deals mark a defining moment in T2’s aggressive return to market leadership, while also showcasing a bold vote of confidence in the Nigerian economy by the company’s investors, led by Chairman Thomas Etuh.

“This is not just a systems upgrade,” said Obafemi Banigbe, CEO of T2 Mobile.
“It’s a customer-first revolution that transforms how people interact with their digital world, seamlessly, instantly, and on their terms.”

With this foundation in place, T2 Mobile is boldly positioning itself beyond the traditional telecom business. The company is evolving into a platform player, one that delivers not only voice and data, but also digital financial services, content, cloud services, and smart lifestyle offerings.

Banigbe highlighted that T2’s vision goes beyond just enhancing its telecom network. ‘We’re crafting an ecosystem where connectivity is the key to unlocking a world of possibilities – from entertainment and education to commerce and financial empowerment.”

Sumanth Konuru, CEO, Knot Solutions said “Africa’s telecom landscape is transforming rapidly, and the modernization of BSS and OSS platforms is at the core of that shift. With our flagship cloud-native platform, RaptrDXP, T2 is gaining the ability to move beyond traditional, rigid service models into a dynamic, hyper-personalized ecosystem and we’re proud to be part of this journey and excited about what we will accomplish together.”

He noted that this isn’t just about efficiency, but it’s about delivering unmatched experiences. From real-time billing to personalized service bundles, T2 customers will benefit from a smarter, more intuitive digital journey.

The dual transformation; Huawei at the network level and Knot Solutions at the digital systems level lays the groundwork for customer experiences that are faster, smarter, and more intuitive than ever before.

With Huawei, T2 is upgrading its core network infrastructure to deliver enhanced coverage, improved data speed, and reliable service quality. With Knot Solutions, T2 gains the ability to Implement real-time, transparent billing, launch hyper-personalized data and lifestyle bundles, enable self-service tools and apps that put customers in control, build a 360° view of customer interactions through analytics and automation and scale effortlessly through cloud-native architecture

This vision aligns with global trends where telecom operators evolve into digital lifestyle enablers, a strategic shift that opens new revenue streams while deepening customer engagement.

The back-to-back multi-million dollar deals with Huawei and Knot Solutions reflect a deep commitment to the Nigerian market and confidence in the country’s digital economy as this level of investment is rooted in a long-term belief in Nigeria’s growth trajectory:

Analysts have said that this is not just a bet on technology. It’s a bet on Nigeria on the people, on the talent, and on the boundless potential of Nigeria’s digital economy.

It demonstrates that T2 is here to lead, to innovate, and to contribute meaningfully to national development.

This milestone agreement signals the start of a sweeping transformation, one that underscores T2’s renewed ambition to reclaim its position as a leading, innovative force in the industry.

It comes at a pivotal time, as the company transitions to a refreshed corporate and consumer identity, setting the stage for a new era of growth and competitiveness.

The partnership will draw on Huawei’s world-renowned technological expertise to completely overhaul T2’s core infrastructure, enhancing its capacity, resilience, and security.

But this initiative goes far beyond a technical upgrade, it is the cornerstone of a multi-phase, company-wide investment strategy aimed at building a future-ready network, designed to meet and exceed the evolving expectations of Nigerian consumers.

At a high-level signing ceremony held in Lagos, senior executives from both companies gathered to mark the beginning of this transformational journey.

Representing T2 were Obafemi Banigbe, chief executive officer; John Vasikaran, chief operating officer; Ayodeji Adedeji, chief technical & information officer; Ifeloju Alakija, vice president, Corporate Services; and Seni Ogunkola, vice president, Brands and Communication.

“This agreement is more than a contract, it’s a catalyst,” said Banigbe,“Huawei has been a trusted partner throughout our journey, and this next chapter reaffirms our shared commitment to innovation, reliability, and excellence. With Huawei by our side, we’re not just upgrading our network, we’re future-proofing it.”

The core modernization project is part of T2’s four-phase strategic roadmap: Stabilisation, Modernisation, Transformation, and Growth.

This structured approach signals a deliberate and focused effort to restore the company’s competitive edge and build a more agile, customer-centric network.

Echoing Banigbe’s vision, Jiang Junyong, CEO of Huawei Nigeria Carrier Business, emphasized the strength of the alliance, said Huawei is proud to support T2’s bold transformation journey.

“This partnership reflects our shared commitment to innovation and excellence. We’re bringing world-class solutions to help T2 build a resilient, high-performance core network that will support next-generation services and long-term growth.”

With this collaboration, T2 is poised to significantly expand its network coverage, capacity, and resilience nationwide.

More importantly, it marks the first of several bold initiatives aimed at restoring the company’s market leadership, revitalizing its service portfolio, and delivering a digital experience that truly resonates with modern Nigerian consumers.

The core network modernization is expected to reach completion in the coming months, firmly anchoring T2’s resurgence in a fast-moving, tech-driven future.

This trend, revealed in the Nigerian Communications Commission’s (NCC) industry data, offers a potential reprieve for the beleaguered operator.

What the Numbers Say

By June 2025, T2, although currently listed as 9mobile on NCC’s active subscriber base website, stood at approximately 2.436 million, accounting for 1.42% of the market.

NCC data shows T2 trailing far behind MTN (52% market share), Airtel (34.38%), and Globacom (12.18%), underscoring its persistent challenge to remain competitive.

Outgoing Porting Trends

While June’s NCC breakdown doesn’t directly quantify porting activities by operator, broader month-on-month dynamics provide context:

Although this inflow/outflow data doesn’t isolate porting specifics, a slowdown in subscriber losses, particularly through porting, can be inferred given the narrowing margins.

Why This Matters

Turning the Tide: After steep losses, such as 6,716 outgoing porting cases in January 2025, any reduction in subscriber exodus may signal improvements in customer retention strategies, particularly, following the recent rebranding.

Competitive Pressure Remains: Despite this potential slowdown, MTN and Airtel continue to dominate with market shares of 52% and 34.4%, respectively, while Globacom sits at 12.2%.

Brokered Resilience: NCC enforcement actions, such as SIM/NIN linkage policies, and operators’ internal corrections have suppressed subscriber numbers across the board.

Yet for T2, which saw its market share dip to just 1.42%, easing customer outflows may mean a momentary lifeline. Only time shall tell.

It wasn’t just another corporate launch, it was the unveiling of a bold new chapter for one of Nigeria’s most resilient telecom brands.

When the curtains lifted, 9mobile revealed its transformed identity, T2, “Tech Meets Tenacity.”

A statement not only about the company’s evolution, but also about Nigeria’s indomitable spirit in the face of change.

Representing Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Secretary to the State Government, Barr. ’Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, captured the moment:

“This initiative resonates with Lagos’ vision of building a connected, competitive, and innovative city. Lagos is proof of what happens when vision meets hard work, and when technology meets tenacity.”

The Governor’s message was clear, Lagos is deliberately shaping itself as Nigeria’s innovation capital, from Smart City projects to digitised healthcare platforms, from LASRIC start-up funding to tech-driven education through Eko Excel. For Sanwo-Olu, 9mobile’s transformation was another milestone in a journey that Lagos is proud to champion.

But the night wasn’t only about Lagos. It was about Nigeria’s future.

“Technology alone is not enough,” Sanwo-Olu stressed. “It requires tenacity, the grit to refine, to improve, and to apply innovation in ways that make our country greater.”

Adding his voice, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, called the rebrand “a new beginning,” urging T2’s leadership to embrace excellence in service to millions whose livelihoods depend on their network.

For Mr. Obafemi Banigbe, CEO of 9mobile/T2, the brand’s rebirth was more than cosmetic, it was structural.

He announced that the network is evolving into a cloud-native, API-ready operation, built on data-driven solutions.

He also disclosed a national roaming agreement with MTN Nigeria, a move designed to expand coverage and optimise service delivery.

The hall brimmed with industry leaders, innovators, and partners, united by a sense of renewal. The 9mobile choir’s harmonies carried the spirit of resilience, an echo of the company’s journey from challenges to reinvention.

As the evening drew to a close, one message lingered: this was not just 9mobile’s transformation. It was a symbol of Nigeria’s determination to lead in innovation, powered by creativity, resilience, and an unshakable belief in the future.

• Etisalat Nigeria (2008–2017): Entered the market with strong youth-focused branding and rapid growth, peaking at over 23 million subscribers.
• 9mobile (2017–2025): Rebranded after Etisalat Group exited due to $1.2 billion debt. Struggled with declining subscriber base, infrastructure decay, and ownership instability.
• T2 (2025): A bold rebrand under Lighthouse Telecoms, signaling a digital-first transformation with ambitions to become leaner, smarter, and more customer-centric.
• In July 2025 the NCC approved a three-year national roaming agreement between MTN Nigeria and 9mobile (now T2), enabling T2 subscribers to use MTN’s network while T2 rebuilds/optimises coverage.

Will the rebrand cause market disruption?

My quick response to that is that major disruptions are unlikely, but industry observers should expect transitional friction.

Why?

The MTN-9mobile (now T2) national-roaming pact, NCC-approved, significantly reduces the risk of mass service outages for customers, because subscribers can fall back onto MTN’s nationwide footprint while T2 stabilises.

That arrangement is explicitly meant to prevent service gaps.

Also, market disruption to competitors (Airtel, MTN, Glo) will be minimal in the near term because they already operate at much larger scale; any short-term customer movements will be incremental.

However, localized service quality issues, billing glitches, or porting/branding confusion could produce customer complaints and temporary churn. T2 must address these with immediate effect.

The bottom line is that the roaming deal blunts immediate disruption, but execution risk such as network fires, customer service breakdowns can still create noise and short-term churn.

Can T2 woo back 9mobile’s lost subscribers?

This is very possible. T2 is already perceived as vibrant, and the name appears forward-thinking. However, the porting of subscribers back to Ts won’t be automatic. They need reassurance of consistency of network availability. In fact, the handlers understand they need to do a lot of ‘give-away’ (incentives).

Key considerations:

Branding alone won’t bring customers back. Subscribers left for reasons like poor coverage, dropped calls, poor data speeds, perceived instability, and billing/customer care issues.

A new name helps perception, but must be paired with tangible improvements.

Coverage and quality are the primary determinants of return. With roaming on MTN, T2 can promise better immediate coverage, that’s necessary but not sufficient.

Offers and trust-building (transparent tariffs, no-bait billing, simple retention bundles, easy SIM/number porting) will be required to persuade users to return.

Therefore, T2 can win back some subscribers, especially price-sensitive or loyalty-ready segments, but regaining meaningful scale requires sustained investment and service reliability over 6–18 months.

Key areas T2 should major on to regain investor & subscriber confidence

Actionable priorities (short → medium → long term):

• Short term (0–3 months)

Service continuity & communication: Use the MTN roaming window to guarantee coverage and proactively communicate to customers what has changed and why – FAQs, SMS alerts, customer care hours.

Transparent migration plan: Clear timelines for network restoration, SIM provisioning, and any service interruptions. Transparency reduces panic and regulatory scrutiny.

Retention offers: Immediate, generous data/voice bundles for existing customers and port-back incentives for former subscribers.

• Medium term (3–12 months)

Network investment & O&M: Recommission towers, prioritise high-traffic corridors and cities, and publish KPIs including latency, speed, dropped-call rates. Investors watch CAPEX and operational metrics.

Customer experience overhaul: Improve billing systems, complaint resolution SLAs, and digital self-service options like apps, USSD.

Partnerships: Strengthen wholesale/roaming, content, and fintech partnerships to create sticky services, bundled VAS, payments, education, OTT partnerships.

• Long term (12–36 months)

Corporate governance & transparency: Publish audited accounts, board composition, and recovery milestones. The NCC and investors favour demonstrable governance improvement.

Product differentiation: Focus on niche segments – SMEs, youth, rural connectivity, rather than trying to replicate MTN’s full stack immediately. Bring back the ‘youth vibes’ of the Etisalat days – campus storms, etc.

Sustainable business model: Prove average revenue per user (ARPU) improvement and churn reduction while controlling opex. Investors need a credible turn-around plan with milestones; subscribers need reliable service and fair pricing.

Is this a sign of recovery for the telecoms sector?

Well, partly. The rebrand and roaming pact are signals of pragmatic consolidation and collaboration, not necessarily a broad-sector boom.

The roaming deal and the rebrand indicate industry actors and the regulator are working to avoid failures and preserve consumer service, a healthy sign for systemic stability.

Why cautious?

The sector still faces structural issues such as high spectrum costs, legacy debt, CAPEX demands, and rising operating costs.

A single operator stabilising or rebranding is encouraging, but broader recovery requires improved ARPUs, investment flows, and policy stability. Let the gains of the tariff adjustments go round.

Subscribers demand or deserve improved quality of service; the government is expecting higher taxes, and the shareholders hope to smile to the banks hence the operator, often treated as the sacrificial lamb, must be protected at all costs; without them, the whole system collapses and everyone goes hungry.

The NCC’s recent corporate governance push suggests regulators are tightening standards, both a necessary improvement and a challenge for weaker players.

What role will the NCC play in T2’s survival?

NCC’s role is central. My expected actions from the NCC are in three fronts:

Facilitator of operational continuity: Approving roaming to prevent service outages (already done).

Regulatory oversight & compliance enforcement: The NCC’s corporate governance guidelines and spectrum oversight require T2 to comply on reporting, operational integrity, and consumer protection; non-compliance could lead to sanctions or loss of privileges.

Market stability measures: The regulator can encourage industry collaboration (number pooling, shared infrastructure), mediate disputes (interconnect, roaming fees), and influence the environment for investor confidence (clear rules, predictable enforcement).

NCC’s posture will likely be supportive but watchful, approving short-term measures like roaming while insisting on governance and recovery milestones.

Is the roaming arrangement with MTN working out successfully?

I think early evidence is promising but incomplete. Reports suggest operational roaming is active in many areas; other commentary suggests 9mobile (now T2) base stations were not fully active at the time the deal took effect, which would make roaming essential.

Those reports are mixed and partly anecdotal.  What matters for “success” are seamless handoffs, consistent QoS, correct billing settlement, and clear customer communication.

If MTN and T2 resolve these without frequent dropped sessions or billing errors, the arrangement will be judged successful. If customers face degraded experience or confusing charges, the reputational damage could be high.

So, the framework is the right one and reduces immediate risk, but the real test will be operational KPIs and customers’ actual experience over the next 3–6 months.

Quick risk checklist: What to watch this quarter

• Clarity (or lack) on T2’s funding plan for CAPEX and debt servicing.
• MTN’s commercial terms. If roaming is priced poorly for T2, sustainability will be strained.

Recommended immediate communications/PR points for T2

With the rebranding comes more pressure on the communications team. Publish a one-page recovery timeline with measurable milestones.

Also run an SMS/call campaign explaining roaming, what customers should expect, and a helpline for issues.

Launch a “welcome back” package for former 9mobile, sorry T2, customers. Make it simple, no-surprises bundles.

Commit to monthly public KPI updates for three quarters – coverage %, average speeds, complaints resolved – to rebuild investor trust. Make sure your (accurate) data are updated on NCC’s Industry Statistics Page.

At the end, T2’s success hinges on execution, transparency, and innovation. If it can deliver a superior digital experience, rebuild trust, and stay lean, it could become Nigeria’s most agile telecom player. But the road is steep, and the market is unforgiving.

This strategic brand migration marks a pivotal chapter in the company’s business transformation, setting the stage for a renewed competitive presence in Nigeria’s telecoms landscape and a sharper alignment with evolving digital consumer expectations.

The rebrand is a key milestone within the company’s comprehensive four-phase recovery roadmap, Stabilisation, Modernisation, Transformation, and Growth, launched following the landmark 2023 acquisition of 9mobile by Lighthouse Telecoms, led by business leader and investor, Mr. Thomas Etuh.

Since the takeover, the company has made sweeping changes, including the constitution of a revitalized board, appointment of new executive leadership, and execution of a strategic infrastructure-sharing agreement with MTN Nigeria.

This agreement, the first of its kind at scale in the country, has already led to the company significantly expanding its network coverage, capacity, and resilience nationwide.

Now entering the “Transformation” phase, the brand is embracing a new name, T2, and a new ambition: to lead in innovation, customer experience, and digital lifestyle enablement. The T2 identity reflects a forward-thinking, technology-driven, and customer-centric ethos designed to resonate with Nigeria’s increasingly digital and mobile-first population.

“This is not just a logo change, it’s a total evolution of who we are, why we exist, and how we deliver value,” said Obafemi Banigbe, Chief Executive Officer of 9mobile. “T2 represents our next chapter. It is a symbol of our renewed commitment to innovation, resilience, and a deepened focus on customer experience. We are building a brand that is ready to thrive in the digital economy.”

Thomas Etuh, chairman, Emerging Markets Telecommunications Ltd, echoed similar sentiments, describing the occasion as one that is significant in many respects for the 9mobile brand, as it represents the start of a new phase of life, a fresh start, rebirth, change or transformation, growth, reawakening, and a new order.

“Today marks a new beginning for the 9mobile business. The march has been tedious. The journey has been exhausting. It was faith and love for country that prompted my foray into the acquisition of the 9mobile business. I knew it was a tough call,” Etuh said, and thanked stakeholders like the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) and 9mobile customers for standing by the brand through all its trials and challenges, including multiple litigations.

“To our amazing customers, please accept my profound gratitude for believing in us. I know our challenges have impacted you in one way or the other. But there is a resilient spirit we share with you. We are rising together again. Together, with you, we are reclaiming all lost grounds,” Etuh said.

Also speaking at the event, Dr. Bosun Tijani, the minister for Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, commended T2 for its bold move and vision to invest in the Nigerian economy and counselled that the rebranding should go beyond a change of name.

“My message to T2 (formerly 9mobile) is simple – let this rebrand be more than a change of colours or new logo, but let it be a renewed commitment to innovation, to service excellence and to the millions of Nigerians whose lives and businesses depend on your network every single day. Our government will continue to work with ecosystem players like T2 who are bold enough to invest, agile enough to adapt and visionary enough to see that the future belongs to those who embrace change before it’s forced upon them,” he said.

Speaking in the same vein, the Secretary to the Lagos State Government, Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, who represented Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, affirmed the alignment between T2’s mission and the state’s digital goals.

“T2 has come at the right time. Its focus on digital innovation aligns seamlessly with the Lagos State Government’s vision for a robust digital economy that empowers citizens, businesses, and communities. We welcome partners like T2 who are committed to driving inclusive and transformative growth in our state,” she said.

The transition will be rolled out in deliberate phases, ensuring continuity and seamless service for existing customers while gradually introducing the market to the T2 narrative. At its core, T2 will focus on four key pillars: Speed, Smart Living, Digital Lifestyle, and Trust.

With customer expectations evolving rapidly and technology redefining the rules of engagement, the T2 brand aims to serve as a bridge between connectivity and culture, telecommunications and lifestyle, infrastructure and impact.

As the Nigerian telecoms sector moves into a new decade of transformation, T2 is poised to not just participate, but to lead.