By the end of July, 9mobile services are expected to be seen everywhere again in the country where MTN currently has services.
This follows the roaming agreement sealed yesterday by both MTN and 9mobile after the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) gave approval.

By the arrangements, 9mobile hopes to regain its over 22 million lost subscribers in the country.

The Guardian checks showed that 9mobile currently struggles to retain the remaining two million subscribers.

At the media announcement on Thursday in Lagos, both telecom firms pledged their commitment towards the agreement.

9mobile Chief Executive Officer, Obafemi Banigbe, said this partnership journey will be backed by MTN.

Banigbe said the initial term of the agreement is a three-year grant, which will enable 9mobile subscribers be able to use MTN’s radio access coverage across the country.

“Remember, sometimes at the beginning of last year, we had the press briefing where we explained exactly what we’re doing in order for us to get 9mobile back into a competitive space in the market. And then we discussed the opportunities that we have. And then we mentioned to you guys that our mantra is to build our network where we must and then share infrastructure where we can,” he stated.

According to him, part of the restructuring is what “we are doing today, the roaming arrangements has started.”

Representing the Chief Executive Officer, MTN Nigeria, Karl Toriola, the firm’s Chief Enterprise Business Officer, Linda Saint Nwafor, said while the roaming service has started in Lagos and some test runs in other states, total coverage is expected by the end of July.

Saint Nwafor said: “We are very happy, as MTN, to take the lead in fostering industry collaboration, and this aligns with the objectives of the NCC, which is to deepen digital acceleration and to ensure industry sustainability. We are therefore very grateful to our NCC EVC, Dr. Aminu Maida, and the entire leadership of the NCC for their support in pushing through this partnership. We are also very grateful to our minister, Dr. Bosun Tijani, who is the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, for championing the drive for cost-efficient industry partnership and collaboration.”