MTN Nigeria and 9Mobile have entered into a three-year national roaming agreement aimed at enhancing network accessibility for 9Mobile subscribers across Nigeria. The agreement allows 9Mobile users to access MTN’s extensive network infrastructure, particularly in areas where 9Mobile’s own coverage is limited.

The deal was announced in a disclosure notice on Monday, signed by MTN’s company secretary, Uto Ukpanah, and has received approval from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

This partnership represents a notable development in Nigeria’s telecommunications sector, where infrastructure sharing has been widely discussed but infrequently implemented on this scale. MTN Nigeria’s Chief Executive Officer, Karl Toriola, described the agreement as “a significant step” toward fostering industry collaboration, enhancing customer experience, and supporting the NCC’s vision of achieving a fully connected Nigeria.

“Delivering the scale required for telecommunications services in Nigeria requires strong collaboration between the private sector, public sector, and long-term investors. This agreement demonstrates what we can achieve when we collaborate, and we are delighted to announce it today after months of groundwork,” Toriola said.

The arrangement comes as 9Mobile continues to face challenges with network reliability. Data from the NCC showed that 9Mobile’s active subscriber base had declined sharply to 3.2 million as of January 2025, down from a peak of over 22 million in 2016, with many customers switching to competitors due to persistent network issues.

The NCC has promoted infrastructure sharing in recent years as a strategy to reduce duplication of investments, lower operational costs, and accelerate network expansion, particularly in underserved rural areas.

MTN indicated that the agreement aligns with its broader commitment to promoting digital inclusion and fostering sustainable growth within the Nigerian telecommunications industry.