Nigeria’s largest mobile network, MTN, has announced plans to connect 8 million homes using its Fibre-to-the-Home (FTTH) network, Fibre X, by 2028. This was disclosed by the company’s Chief Broadband Officer, Egerton Idehen, during an interactive session with the media (MIP Alumni) earlier this week.
Nigeria is severely under-connected, with less than 2% of homes having fixed broadband access. Yet, Egerton Idehen emphasised that broadband connectivity is the backbone of Nigeria’s digital transformation, describing it as “the electricity of the digital age.” He noted that MTN is shifting from being a traditional telecom operator to a technology company (TechCo), with broadband at the centre of this evolution.”
The company has covered over 82% of the country with 4G LTE and is the first to roll out 5G in Nigeria. Now, it aims to expand its FibreX network to 8 million homes passed and 3 million connected by 2028. FiberX offers unlimited, high-speed, low-latency internet for homes and businesses. It is designed to improve productivity, creativity, and digital inclusion.
Idehen stressed that MTN’s broadband push aligns with the Federal Government’s National Broadband Plan and Digital Economy Policy, and that every kilometre of fibre laid contributes to Nigeria’s economic resilience and competitiveness.
It also aligns with Nigeria’s National Broadband Plan (NBP) 2020–2025, which aims to achieve 70% broadband penetration by 2025, ensuring minimum speeds of 25 Mbps in urban areas and 10 Mbps in rural regions.
He highlighted affordability, customer experience, and local partnerships as core to MTN’s strategy. The company collaborates with infracos, state governments, and local contractors, and engages directly with homeowners’ associations and estate developers to integrate fibre into new housing projects.
However, Idehen lamented persistent challenges, including vandalism, frequent fibre cuts (approximately 30–35 daily), rights-of-way issues, and community resistance, which disrupt services and increase maintenance costs. He also called for stronger protection of telecom infrastructure, commending the NCC’s efforts to classify it as a national critical asset.
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He concluded that every home MTN connects “represents a new opportunity for learning, growth, and connection,” reaffirming the company’s commitment to building an inclusive, reliable, and affordable digital future for Nigerians.
“We are not just about money-grabbing. We are building the foundation that will power Nigeria’s innovation, connectivity, and future opportunities”, he added.
MTN’s FiberX is not a substitute for 5G, others
FibreX was formerly called MTN Fibre Broadband. It was renamed in April. Its coverage currently spans across 16 Nigerian states, with plans to reach the entire 36 states and the Federal Capital in the coming years.
Idehen disclosed that FibreX is expected to contribute to the expansion of the national fibre capacity from 35,000 km to 125,000 km, a plan that includes laying an additional 90,000 km of fibre.
Yet, MTN will mostly favour viable technology clusters, i.e. dense urban or semi-urban areas, for rollout for now.
The company’s strategy is built on a dual investment strategy in both, with fibre providing the backbone for reliable high-speed connectivity, while 5G will complement it in wireless delivery. “5G hasn’t taken a back seat. Fibre is simply the foundation for dense urban connectivity. Both are complementary,” he said.
He added that FibreX is not a substitute for other wireless networks (3G, 4G ). Instead, they will complement coverage even in areas where fibre installation is costly or impractical. “We won’t bring a Rolls-Royce where there’s no road,” he noted.
Mr Idehen MTN is engaging in conversations with service providers for possible value-added offers to make FibreX more attractive. and potentially bundling streaming services like Showmax or Netflix into internet plans.
