The milestone marks STN’s formal evolution from its early beginnings as a telephone call service operating under an umbrella structure, into an independent Nigerian telecommunications company positioned to build the next generation of digital infrastructure in Nigeria.

Chief Executive Officer of STN, Oluwole Adetuyi , said  “This UASL is not just a licence. It is a new chapter. It represents where we started, what we have endured, how we have evolved, and where we are going. We are building in Nigeria, for Nigeria.” STN’s journey mirrors the story of Nigerian enterprise. From humble beginnings providing basic telephony, the company has endured changing economic conditions, evolving regulations, and market challenges.

tThrough perseverance and adaptation, STN has transformed into a full-service operator ready to compete and create value at scale. The UASL grants STN the ability to provide a full range of telecommunications services such as voice, data, and access across Nigeria. Reflecting on the resilience of STN, Adetuyi said this milestone reinforces a larger truth about Nigerian businesses to stand the test of time.

“They can evolve, compete globally, and build institutions of lasting value from Nigeria. At a time when the digital economy is central to national growth, STN is proof that local ambition, backed by resilience, can deliver world-class infrastructure”, said Adetuyi. As STN enters this new phase, the company is committing to building a truly Nigerian telecommunications ecosystem. Some of the key pillars of the telecom firm include, “Investment in skills development and training for Nigerian engineers, technicians and digital professionals; Prioritising partnerships with Nigerian service providers, contractors and vendors across the value chain as well as collaborations with global technology partners to deepen indigenous technical capabilities.

Other key areas, according to the company, include infrastructure development, as it intends to roll-out telecommunications infrastructure to expand access and bridge the digital divide and creation of direct employment and opportunities for Nigerian entrepreneurs in distribution, retail and support services, including increasing Nigerian ownership and leadership in the telecoms value chain. “Our ambition is simple: to help build Nigeria’s digital economy from the ground up,” Adetuyi said.

“This licence gives us the platform. Nigerian talent, Nigerian partners, and Nigerian innovation will give us the momentum.”

STN will in the coming weeks announce strategic partnerships, infrastructure rollout plans, and programmes to engage investors and stakeholders as it begins commercial operations under the UASL.

Swift Telephone Network Limited is an independent Nigerian telecommunications company. From its origins as a telephone call service, STN has evolved into a UASL-licensed operator committed to building resilient, inclusive, and innovative digital infrastructure for Nigeria.

Recall that the UASL issued by the NCC authorises the holder to provide a comprehensive range of telecommunications services including fixed, mobile, voice and data services across Nigeria.

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The NCC said more than 5,000 fibre-cut incidents were recorded across Nigeria in the first six months of 2026, with road construction, excavation and related civil works identified among the major causes.

The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, made the call on August 11, 2026, at a stakeholders’ workshop on the protection of fibre-optic cables held at the National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Office of the National Security Adviser in Abuja.

Maida stressed that Nigeria’s efforts to expand physical infrastructure must go hand in hand with the protection of the digital networks that support the country’s economy and essential services.

He described telecommunications infrastructure as a critical national lifeline, noting that it supports banking, government services, education, healthcare, commerce, security and emergency communications.

According to him, damage to fibre infrastructure can trigger widespread service disruptions, affect businesses and impose additional costs on citizens and the economy.

“To a machine operator on a construction site, it may appear to be one buried cable. To the nation, it can mean failed calls, stalled payments, interrupted services and missed opportunities,” Maida said.

He emphasised that the issue should not be viewed as a conflict between road construction and telecommunications operators, but as a coordination challenge requiring all stakeholders to work together before and during construction activities.

“Nigeria must build the roads that connect our communities while protecting the fibre networks that connect our economy. We need both forms of infrastructure, and we need them to work together,” he said.

The NCC chief recalled that fibre cuts in February 2024, including those associated with road construction, contributed to an almost network-wide disruption for one telecommunications operator, affecting millions of users for several hours and placing additional pressure on other networks.

Maida disclosed that Permanent Secretaries of the Federal Ministry of Works and the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy had inaugurated a Standing Committee on the Protection of Fibre Optic Cables to develop practical coordination mechanisms before, during and after road construction projects.

He added that the committee’s membership had recently been expanded to include representatives of the Office of the National Security Adviser, reflecting the growing security importance of telecommunications infrastructure.

The NCC said telecommunications infrastructure has been designated as Critical National Information Infrastructure, requiring stronger protection and appropriate legal, regulatory and remedial measures against damage.

Maida urged telecommunications operators, construction companies, government institutions, regulators and security agencies to take responsibility for preventing fibre damage and make coordination a standard part of project planning and execution.

The Abuja workshop is part of ongoing efforts to establish a coordinated framework for protecting fibre-optic infrastructure during road construction, excavation and other civil engineering activities.

The NCC said the initiative is expected to contribute to reducing service disruptions and supporting Nigeria’s digital transformation by ensuring that physical infrastructure development does not undermine the telecommunications networks on which citizens, businesses and public institutions depend.

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Source: Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC)

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This took place in Abuja during a  workshop which led to the establishes of a joint strategy to power critical telecom infrastructure using off-grid energy solutions.

According to both agencies the collaboration will  addresses a primary obstacle to national connectivity: unreliable power supply.

The initiative leverages renewable energy to maintain seamless network operation, expanding digital access and economic inclusion across remote regions to drive Nigeria’s digital economy.

Highlighting the interdependence of power and connectivity, NCC Executive Vice Chairman Dr. Aminu Maida noted that electricity and digital networks share complementary goals. A community lacking stable power struggles to sustain network infrastructure, while one without connectivity cannot fully utilize available power. The new framework directly solves this by aligning energy generation directly with telecom deployment.

Under the agreement, both agencies will merge their geospatial data into a unified digital map to streamline growth. The REA will supply data on operational and planned renewable energy projects—such as solar mini-grids and home system clusters—while the NCC will map existing and upcoming telecom deployments to pinpoint priority development zones.

Engineer Abraham Oshadami, NCC’s Executive Commissioner for Technical Services, explained that rural base stations will now draw power directly from nearby solar mini-grids. This setup keeps telecom towers online without relying on the national grid, dramatically reducing operational downtime and lowering network operators’ heavy dependence on costly diesel generators.

Engr. Umar Umar, REA’s Executive Director of Technical Services, emphasized that the MoU ends years of the two agencies operating in isolation despite aligned goals. By comparing overlapping coverage maps, both organizations can now make data-driven decisions to quickly identify high-priority, viable sites where mini-grids and telecom towers can be co-located.

To ensure long-term execution, a dedicated NCC-REA Collaboration Committee has been created to oversee pilot projects and refine operational strategies. With ongoing input from industry stakeholders, the committee will establish a scalable blueprint to ensure renewable energy consistently powers Nigeria’s digital infrastructure.

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Introduced during a recent assembly in Abuja centered on evaluating financial models for cooperative utility channels, this strategy aims to curb the expenses associated with high-speed internet deployment, foster joint resource usage, and speed up network expansion across the country.

The core objective of this centralized blueprint is to guarantee that protective network channels are embedded during the construction or renovation of transport links, allowing competing service providers to channel their data lines through pre-existing subterranean networks.

By utilizing this pre-installed underground infrastructure, telecommunications companies can efficiently expand their services while completely eliminating the need to repeatedly tear up public thoroughfares.

During the assembly, the Permanent Secretary for the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Nadungu Gagare, emphasized that this collective approach represents a vital intervention by the state to fortify digital foundations and upgrade web accessibility.

He remarked that this unified trenching strategy stands as a pivotal state measure designed to accelerate data network evolution, trim the financial burden of web amplification, prevent redundant street damage, and optimize national assets.

He further noted that the true value of the directive hinges on a tariff system that is transparent, commercially viable, impartial, and supportive of collective asset utilization, which will heighten financier trust while protecting public resources.

Providing historical context, Ayuba Shuaibu, the Director of Policy, Competition and Economic Analysis at the regulatory body, mentioned that external specialists were brought on board in 2023 to rectify the lack of a standardized fee structure for cooperative conduits, an omission that previously hindered the strategy’s progress.

Concluding the presentations, Akpevwe Egbelughe, representing Dimension Data Nigeria, highlighted that recurrent earthworks stand as a premier barrier to widespread high-speed internet availability, explaining that integrating protective channels directly into transport engineering projects allows service providers to effortlessly slide their data cables through existing networks without disrupting public pathways.

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The assessment evaluated Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) on key indicators, including FOI compliance, fiscal transparency, institutional reforms and website performance.

Receiving the award on behalf of the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, the Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, Engr. Abraham Oshadami, described the recognition as a validation of the Commission’s commitment to institutional reforms and improved public service delivery.

Oshadami said the recognition would encourage the Commission to sustain initiatives that promote transparency, accountability and operational efficiency while strengthening public confidence in Nigeria’s telecommunications sector.

He added that the award also reflects the NCC’s commitment to delivering better services to telecom consumers through improved service quality, responsiveness and stronger consumer protection measures across the industry.

Over the past two years, the Commission has implemented several reforms, including the launch of the National Coverage Map, publication of Quarterly Network Performance Reports, simplified tariff communication for subscribers, strengthened corporate governance compliance and expanded access to industry data.

Director-General of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms, Mr. Dasuki Arabi, commended the participating MDAs, particularly the top-performing agencies, for advancing transparency, accountability and good governance through sustained reform efforts.
Arabi noted that the annual assessment, held as part of activities marking the United Nations Public Service Day, recognises institutions that have demonstrated excellence in implementing reforms and delivering quality public services.

In addition to the institutional awards, the Bureau honoured 20 outstanding public servants across the federal, state and local government levels for exemplary leadership, including the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack, and the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals, Mrs. Adejoke Adefulire.

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Speaking after the Digital Africa Summit Roundtable in Shanghai, China, Olorunnimbe said investors that begin factory construction before November would receive government backing, with the NCC helping to facilitate the necessary policy and regulatory support.

He said domestic smartphone production would reduce dependence on imported devices, create employment opportunities and strengthen Nigeria’s manufacturing sector while making smartphones more affordable.

According to him, producing devices locally would also reduce the impact of foreign exchange volatility on handset prices, improving access to smartphones for millions of Nigerians.

Olorunnimbe stressed that locally made phones must match international standards in quality and remain competitively priced to gain consumer confidence and compete with imported brands.

He added that stronger device regulation and expanded instalment payment options would protect consumers, improve smartphone ownership and support the country’s digital economy growth.

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The initiative was unveiled in Abuja by the Executive Commissioner for Stakeholder Management, Rimini Makama, who said it is designed to provide mentorship, professional development and networking opportunities for female professionals.

Makama explained that the programme will create a structured platform where experienced women leaders can guide younger professionals and help them develop the skills needed for greater responsibilities.

She noted that women currently make up about 70 per cent of the commission’s directors, describing the strong representation as an opportunity to nurture the next generation of female leaders.

According to her, the programme is intended to become a permanent feature of the NCC’s human capacity development efforts and will continue beyond the tenure of the current leadership.

Makama added that the commission hopes to strengthen female participation in leadership by building a lasting community that supports career growth across the regulatory environment.

Speaking at the launch, NCC Executive Vice-Chairman, Dr Aminu Maida, said the initiative would inspire more women to pursue leadership roles and provide a platform for learning from accomplished professionals.

Maida expressed confidence in the potential of young women within the commission, saying the programme would help prepare them for senior leadership positions while contributing to the growth of the telecommunications sector.

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As part of the initiative, the Commission released a consultation document outlining a proposed framework for zero-rated educational services. The plan is designed to support wider access to online learning materials and improve educational opportunities for students and other learners across the country.

According to the NCC, the proposed framework seeks to establish guidelines and eligibility requirements for educational platforms that may qualify for data-free access. If implemented, users would be able to connect to approved learning resources without the usual cost of mobile or internet data.

The telecommunications regulator explained that the consultation paper marks the beginning of a broader engagement process with relevant stakeholders and reflects its commitment to transparent and inclusive policymaking.

To ensure that the framework addresses the needs of the sector, the Commission has invited contributions from telecom operators, educational institutions, technology providers, civil society groups, and members of the public.

The NCC encouraged interested parties to review the proposal and submit recommendations that could help shape a policy aimed at expanding digital education and increasing access to learning resources nationwide.

The initiative is expected to contribute to efforts to bridge educational gaps, enhance digital inclusion, and make online learning more accessible to millions of Nigerians.

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The new measure, which takes immediate effect, was announced in a joint statement signed by the NCC’s Director of Public Affairs, Nnenna Ukoha, and the CAC’s Head of Public Affairs, Rasheed Mahe, on June 21, 2026.

Under the arrangement, licensed telecommunications companies intending to alter shareholding interests representing 10 per cent or more of their issued share capital must first obtain a Letter of No Objection from the NCC. The CAC will only process and register such transactions upon presentation of the commission’s approval.

According to the two agencies, the requirement is anchored on provisions of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, the Competition Practices Regulations 2007, and the Licensing Regulations 2019, which empower the NCC to oversee transactions involving licensees and safeguard competition within the communications sector.

The regulators explained that the initiative is designed to strengthen monitoring of significant corporate restructuring activities and prevent actions that could undermine market competition.

The statement noted that the CAC would henceforth require documentary evidence of the NCC’s consent before effecting any qualifying alteration in the ownership composition of telecommunications firms.

The agencies further stated that the enhanced oversight mechanism is expected to improve transparency, deepen investor confidence, provide greater regulatory certainty, and support the long-term stability of Nigeria’s telecommunications industry.

They added that the collaboration between both institutions underscores their commitment to promoting sound corporate practices, ensuring compliance with applicable regulations, and fostering a conducive environment for sustainable sector growth.

The NCC and CAC reaffirmed their resolve to continue working together to maintain a transparent, predictable, and investment-friendly business climate while supporting the orderly development of the country’s communications ecosystem.

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The exercise, being carried out by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in collaboration with advisory firm KPMG, was formally unveiled at a stakeholders’ meeting in Lagos.

The initiative is expected to influence competition, network expansion, and the overall economics of the country’s communications sector.

Central to the exercise is the examination of Mobile Termination Rates (MTRs), the fees operators pay each other for completing calls between different networks.

These charges play a significant role in shaping business operations and consumer costs across the industry.

According to the commission, the existing structure, introduced in 2018 and slightly adjusted in 2022, no longer reflects the realities of a rapidly evolving market.

The sector has undergone significant transformation, driven by the rollout of fifth-generation (5G) technology, growing demand for data services, and the emergence of Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs), whose business models differ from those of traditional network providers.

The regulator also pointed to mounting economic pressures affecting telecommunications companies. Rising inflation, foreign exchange volatility, and escalating operating expenses have significantly increased the cost of maintaining network infrastructure, much of which depends on imported equipment and services.

To address these developments, KPMG will undertake an extensive assessment involving industry consultations, financial analysis, and comparisons with international markets.

The objective is to determine whether the current framework remains fit for purpose and to identify areas requiring policy adjustments.

As part of the process, operators have been directed to provide detailed information covering revenue performance, operational expenditure, profitability, market positioning, capital spending, and customer usage patterns.

The data will help establish a clearer picture of industry trends and the impact of existing regulations on various market participants.

The engagement will involve discussions with a broad range of stakeholders, including mobile network operators, virtual service providers, international carriers, interconnect exchanges, and clearing houses. Their commercial, technical, and financial perspectives are expected to contribute to the development of a more balanced regulatory structure.

In addition, Nigeria’s telecommunications environment will be measured against comparable markets in Africa and Asia, including South Africa, Kenya, Indonesia, and Malaysia, to ensure alignment with global best practices.

The commission said the ultimate objective is to create a transparent and sustainable framework that supports continued investment in digital infrastructure while safeguarding consumer interests. Through extensive industry participation, regulators hope to establish a system that promotes innovation, strengthens competition, and ensures long-term sector growth.

Officials have urged all stakeholders to comply with submission deadlines, stressing that timely and accurate information will be critical to shaping the future regulatory landscape.

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