• MTN Nigeria to lease spectrum from T2 Mobile from Oct. 1
• Deal supports roaming, expands MTN coverage, aids T2 services
• NCC approved three-year pact amid Nigeria’s 169M-user market

MTN Nigeria has reached an agreement with T2 Mobile Limited (formerly 9Mobile) to lease telecommunications frequencies starting October 1, 2025. According to local media, the three-year contract has already been approved by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

Under the deal, MTN will use 5 MHz in the 900 MHz band and 15 MHz in the 1800 MHz band, which are owned by T2 Mobile. This spectrum will support a national roaming agreement between the two operators. The arrangement will allow T2 Mobile subscribers to use MTN’s network in areas where their operator lacks sufficient infrastructure.

“We are delighted with this milestone, which aligns with our Ambition 2025 strategy. It reaffirms our unwavering commitment to delivering reliable, high-quality connectivity to our customers. By leveraging additional spectrum resources, we are enhancing network capacity in a cost-efficient and environmentally sustainable way,” said Karl Toriola, CEO of MTN Nigeria.

This partnership is expected to replace a similar roaming contract with Ntel (Natcom Development & Investment Ltd), which is set to expire in late November 2025. For MTN, the new agreement should enable broader coverage, particularly in rural areas. For T2 Mobile, it offers a way to enhance its service without making massive investments in new infrastructure.

As of the end of July 2025, the Nigerian telecommunications market had 169.3 million active subscribers. MTN Nigeria dominates the market with 89.1 million subscribers, holding a 52.7% market share. T2 Mobile has 2.7 million subscribers, or 1.61% of the market. The other major operators, Airtel and Globacom, had 56.5 million (33.42%) and 20.7 million (12.26%) subscribers, respectively.

Adoni Conrad Quenum