MTN Nigeria says its 25 years of operations in the country reflect the rapid transformation of Nigeria’s telecommunications sector from basic mobile calls to a broad digital ecosystem supporting businesses, entertainment, finance and everyday communication.
The company’s Chief Financial Officer, Modupe Kadri, spoke on Monday during the opening of the MTN Y’ello Street Museum in Lagos, an exhibition created to commemorate the telecommunications company’s 25th anniversary. MTN’s anniversary event was scheduled for August 10 at its Lagos headquarters.
MTN Reflects on Nigeria’s Telecom Evolution
Kadri said the exhibition tells a wider story about Nigeria’s technological development rather than simply documenting MTN’s corporate history.
The museum features elements of the country’s telecommunications journey and highlights how changing technology has influenced the way Nigerians communicate, work, conduct business and consume entertainment.
MTN began operations in Nigeria in 2001, with the first call on its network made at Maritime House in Apapa, Lagos, on May 16 of that year.
Kadri noted that many services now considered part of everyday digital life — including modern social media platforms, mobile banking and advanced mobile broadband — were unavailable when MTN entered the Nigerian market.
He said successive generations of telecommunications technology helped create new industries, employment opportunities and business models while expanding access to information.
From 2G to 5G Connectivity
Over the past quarter-century, MTN Nigeria has moved through successive generations of mobile technology, including 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G.
The company says its network evolution has expanded access to digital services and supported millions of Nigerians who increasingly depend on mobile connectivity for education, commerce, financial transactions and entertainment.
MTN also became Nigeria’s first mobile network operator to launch a commercial 5G network, according to the company’s investor information.
Kadri credited Nigerian consumers with playing a major role in transforming mobile technology from a basic communication service into a platform for economic and social activity.
He said the anniversary should provide an opportunity to reflect on the changes of the past 25 years while considering the possibilities that could emerge over the next quarter-century.
AI, Cloud Computing Could Drive Next Phase
Looking ahead, Kadri identified artificial intelligence, cloud computing, digital infrastructure and advanced connectivity as technologies capable of accelerating Nigeria’s next stage of digital development.
He said deeper investment in these areas could open additional opportunities for businesses, communities and individuals.
Kadri also acknowledged MTN customers, employees, shareholders, regulators, government agencies, suppliers, business partners and host communities for their contributions to the company’s development.
He described the Y’ello Street Museum as both a celebration of past achievements and a starting point for another period of technological innovation.
MTN Calls for Better Broadband Infrastructure
MTN Nigeria General Manager for Network Access Planning and Optimisation, Nasir Hayatu, said continued investment in infrastructure would be critical to Nigeria’s ambition of becoming a leading technology economy.
Hayatu said telecommunications networks have supported extensive distribution and supply chains while helping businesses become more productive.
He stressed the importance of supportive government policies, particularly effective right-of-way regulations, which determine how easily telecommunications companies can deploy fibre and other network infrastructure.
According to him, expanding broadband access across Nigeria will require sustained investment, improved infrastructure and policies that allow operators to extend reliable connectivity to more communities.
He also said challenges involving power supply and infrastructure could encourage innovation, pointing to alternative energy solutions and network redundancy as measures used to improve service resilience.
MTN Targets Nigeria’s Creative Economy
The telecommunications company also said it would deepen its involvement in Nigeria’s growing creative and digital economy, including music, video, gaming and emerging online platforms.
MTN Nigeria Chief Digital Officer Aisha Umar Mumuni said preparations were underway for the second season of one of the company’s creative platforms following lessons from its first edition.
The next season is expected to begin in October, while the company is also exploring educational and family-oriented digital content in partnership with media organisations.
Mumuni said MTN remained committed to finding more opportunities for Nigerian creators across music, gaming, video and other emerging digital services.
MTN Highlights Shareholder Returns
Chief Marketing Officer Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka also highlighted the company’s performance for investors, pointing to share-price growth, dividend payments and returns to its expanding shareholder base.
MTN Nigeria has grown from a telecommunications start-up in 2001 into one of the country’s major communications providers.
The company said its 25-year experience demonstrates how connectivity can extend beyond phone calls to support entrepreneurship, digital inclusion, job creation and broader economic activity.
As Nigeria’s digital economy continues to evolve, MTN executives said infrastructure development, innovation and supportive regulation would remain essential to unlocking the next phase of technological growth.
