Telecom operators have welcomed the rebrand of 9mobile to T2, describing it as a major milestone for Nigeria’s telecommunications industry.
Speaking on behalf of the Association of Licensed Telecom Companies of Nigeria (ALTON), its Chairman, Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, said the transformation of Emerging Markets Telecommunications Services (EMTS) from 9mobile to T2 would boost investor confidence and strengthen collaboration in the sector.
“EMTS is a very important member of ALTON, and we are pleased to see their rebirth as T2. This rebranding enhances investor confidence and underscores the value of collaboration. It assures the public that there are good times ahead for our industry, and we are very excited about what the future holds,” Adebayo said.
He made the remarks over the weekend on the sidelines of the unveiling of Nigeria’s first Digital Museum, an initiative spearheaded by IHS Towers to preserve and showcase the nation’s history and cultural heritage. Adebayo praised the project as a demonstration of the industry’s commitment to national development, noting that by preserving the past while building the infrastructure of the future, IHS had set “a remarkable example of corporate citizenship.”
On the state of the industry, Adebayo highlighted renewed investment in telecoms following the resolution of sustainability concerns earlier in the year. He described the fresh capital inflow as “the highest we have seen since before the COVID-19 pandemic,” noting that ALTON members are expanding networks, upgrading infrastructure, and migrating sites from radio links to high-speed fibre connections.
He added that Tower Companies (TowerCos) are also strengthening security to tackle vandalism and theft. “Removable batteries and generators are now fitted with trackers to trace stolen items, and we strongly advise the public to desist from buying equipment suspected to have been stolen from telecom sites,” he warned.
Adebayo also pointed to ongoing workforce training to keep pace with emerging technologies, adding that ALTON members are committed to meeting and surpassing the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) service level requirements. He appealed to subscribers for patience during network optimisation, assuring that “these efforts will ultimately deliver a much-improved user experience nationwide.”
On Right of Way (RoW) issues, Adebayo stressed that telecom investments can only thrive in enabling environments.
“The digital train is moving very fast. States that create hostile conditions for telecom operations risk being left behind. Where deployment is unwelcome, investments will move to more supportive neighbouring states, and citizens of unfriendly states will inevitably suffer limited connectivity,” he cautioned.
Turning to taxation, the ALTON boss commended President Bola Tinubu and the Presidential Tax and Fiscal Policy Reform Committee for reforms aimed at streamlining Nigeria’s tax system. He described the changes as a major step toward eliminating multiple taxation, which currently sees operators grappling with more than 56 levies across various jurisdictions.
“We eagerly await the commencement of the implementation in January 2026. We are confident that the over 56 taxes and levies currently borne by our members will soon become a thing of the past,” he said, adding that the reforms would encourage entrepreneurship, attract investment, and strengthen the business environment.
Adebayo thanked stakeholders, applauded the leadership of the NCC, and congratulated the new Board under Mr. Idris Olorunimbe. He reaffirmed ALTON’s commitment to Nigeria’s growth, saying:
“The transformation we are witnessing in our sector has not been experienced in recent years. The industry is on the march again, and together, with the support of the public in protecting our critical infrastructure, there is no stopping Nigeria’s telecommunications sector as a driver of national economic stability and growth.”
