MTN Nigeria Communications Plc has announced a new spectrum lease agreement with T2 Mobile Limited, formerly known as 9Mobile. Under the arrangement, MTN will lease 5 MHz in the 900 MHz band and 15 MHz in the 1800 MHz band for a period of three years, starting from October 1, 2025, according to a statement by the company.
The deal, which has already received regulatory approval from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), marks a significant shift in MTN’s spectrum strategy. It also signals the end of MTN’s long-running spectrum lease deal with Natcom Development and Investment Limited (NTEL), which will expire on November 29, 2025. That NTEL agreement covered 5 MHz in the 900 MHz and 10 MHz in the 1800 MHz bands across 17 states.
The agreement is expected to boost MTN’s network capacity and strengthen its national roaming arrangement with T2 Mobile. The roaming deal allows T2’s subscribers to use MTN’s infrastructure where coverage is weaker, ensuring more consistent connectivity across the country.
MTN said the lease with T2 Mobile represents an integrated approach that combines spectrum trade with roaming, a move aimed at improving service delivery while advancing Nigeria’s digital inclusion agenda.
Uto Ukpanah, Company Secretary of MTN Nigeria, described the deal as an integrated approach that combines spectrum sharing and national roaming. According to him, the agreement will boost MTN’s network offering capacity while advancing its long-term goal of digital inclusion.
“This integrated approach, combining spectrum trade and national roaming, underscores our commitment to industry collaboration, infrastructure sharing, and the broader goal of advancing digital inclusion across Nigeria,” the company said in a statement.
Deal is aligned with MTN Nigeria’s 2025 strategy
Commenting on the development, MTN Nigeria’s Chief Executive Officer, Karl Toriola, said the spectrum lease aligns with the company’s Ambition 2025 strategy, which focuses on sustainably delivering reliable, high-quality connectivity.
“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,” Toriola said.
“By leveraging additional spectrum resources, we are enhancing network capacity in a cost-efficient and environmentally sustainable way. We are also fostering a more collaborative telecom ecosystem, recently signing a national roaming agreement with T2 and onboarding Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) to drive industry innovation and long-term sustainability.”
Toriola added that these initiatives highlight MTN’s focus on expanding broadband access and supporting Nigeria’s digital transformation and inclusive growth.
Meanwhile, the spectrum lease is expected to deliver tangible improvements in service quality for MTN customers.
Subscribers could experience stronger signals, fewer dropped calls, and faster data speeds, especially in high-traffic urban centres and underserved rural communities.
The agreement also highlights a growing trend of industry collaboration in Nigeria’s telecom sector. By leasing spectrum instead of acquiring new capacity outright, MTN reduces capital expenditure and promotes resource efficiency. This approach is also more environmentally sustainable, aligning with global telecoms industry practices.
The move could encourage other operators to explore similar partnerships. With MTN onboarding MVNOs and deepening its collaboration with T2 Mobile, industry analysts believe Nigeria may see more competitive pricing, innovative services, and a stronger push towards digital inclusion.
For consumers, the expectation is better broadband coverage and potentially more affordable access as efficiencies are passed down the value chain.
Yet, beyond technical gains, the spectrum lease highlights MTN’s role in supporting Nigeria’s broader digital economy agenda. Improved network capacity and wider coverage are crucial for enabling access to digital services in education, healthcare, commerce, and government.
This collaboration between the two telecom giants will further help to bridge Nigeria’s digital divide, bringing more citizens online and ensuring that connectivity becomes a driver of inclusive socio-economic growth.
As the October 2025 start date draws closer, attention will focus on how effectively MTN and T2 Mobile implement the lease and deliver on the promise of better connectivity for millions of Nigerians.