Globacom Limited, Nigeria’s Second National Operator (SNO), has lodged a formal objection to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) over spectrum acquisition deals by rival operator MTN Nigeria, in a quietly brewing storm in the nation’s telecoms.
Technology Times can exclusively confirm that the SNO, owned by Nigerian billionaire, Mike Adenuga, has petitioned the telecoms regulator over a spectrum leasing deal between rival operators MTN Nigeria and Emerging Markets Telecommunications Services Limited, owners of 9mobile.
In its “Letter of Objection to The Spectrum Leasing Between Emerging Markets Telecommunications Services Limited and MTN Nigeria Communications Plc.,” dated February 20, 2025, Globacom is raising alarm over the transaction.
“With reference to the above subject matter, we write to the proposed spectrum arrangement between MTN Nigeria Communications PLC (MTN) and Emerging Markets Telecommunications Services Limited (9mobile). Technology Times, an online News Platform, by its publication dated 3rd of February, 2025 exclusively reported that the NCC has approved the spectrum Leasing Agreement between MTN and 9Mobile,” Globacom states in the letter to NCC.
Technology Times contacted MTN Nigeria for an official reaction to the allegations raised by Globacom, but the company has declined comments on the matter.
Adenuga’s Globacom says that the deal, which grants MTN Nigeria access to additional frequency bands leased from 9mobile, is posing a grave risk to the country’s telecoms competition, and may entrench a market monopoly. The deal, the SNO argues, is threatening the fragile balance in Nigeria’s multi-player telecoms market.
“With reference to the above subject matter, we write to the proposed spectrum arrangement between MTN Nigeria Communications PLC (MTN) and Emerging Markets Telecommunications Services Limited (9mobile). Technology Times, an online News Platform, by its publication dated 3rd of February, 2025 exclusively reported that the NCC has approved the spectrum Leasing Agreement between MTN and 9Mobile,” Globacom states in the letter to NCC.
“If this current overture of MTN becomes successful,” Globacom tells the telecoms regulator, “it will mean that maximum spectrum bandwidth will be under the control of the incumbent dominant operator, putting other operators at a great competitive disadvantage while giving MTN undue competitive advantage.”
Background: Nigeria’s spectrum landscape
In telecommunications, spectrum refers to the range of electromagnetic frequencies allocated to mobile operators to carry voice and data services. As subscriber demands continue to grow across Nigeria’s digital economy, control of spectrum is translating into power – more bandwidth means faster, better, and more scalable services.
As of January 2025, Nigeria’s telecoms market accounted for 169,318,076 active telephone subscriptions, 141,655,587 and 98,875,607 internet and broadband connections respectively across the nation’s estimated 216 million people, according to NCC’s official market statistics.
Globacom’s petition is surfacing at a time when telecoms operators are navigating surging infrastructure costs, rising data demands, and an increasingly digitised economy. The potential consolidation of spectrum could distort this landscape and stifle innovation and consumer welfare, industry observers are warning.
Spectrum is the invisible backbone powering Nigeria’s surging data needs, with operators constantly seeking to boost capacity through licensing or leasing. MTN, which already commands a significant share of the mobile voice and data market, is acquiring more frequencies across strategic bands – a move now sparking regulatory and competitive scrutiny.
Globacom’s petition is surfacing at a time when telecoms operators are navigating surging infrastructure costs, rising data demands, and an increasingly digitised economy. The potential consolidation of spectrum could distort this landscape and stifle innovation and consumer welfare, industry observers are warning.
MTN’s Expanding Spectrum Portfolio
Globacom’s objection is painting a picture of MTN Nigeria amassing a large portfolio of spectrum assets through a series of acquisitions and leasing arrangements.
The letter addressed to Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, notes that MTN already possesses:
- 10MHz in the 700MHz band acquired from the National Broadcasting Commission.
- 20MHz in the 800MHz band from Visafone and InterCellular.
- 10MHz in the 1800MHz band and 5MHz in the 900MHz band, recently renewed up to April 2027, from NTEL through spectrum leasing.
With the proposed MTN-9mobile spectrum deal, Globacom says MTN will be “way too much ahead in a favourable spot making it impossible for others to compete, against the very ethos of level playing field.”
MTN, according to Adenuga’s SNO, “is the dominant Operator in the market and if this current overture of MTN becomes successful, it will mean that maximum spectrum bandwidth will be under the control of the incumbent dominant operator putting other operators at a great competitive disadvantage while giving MTN undue competitive advantage. Consequently, we are objecting to the proposed spectrum leasing between 9Mobile and MTN.”
According to Globacom, “MTN already have 10MHz bandwidth capacity in the 7ooMHz band which was acquired from National Broadcasting Commission and 20MHz bandwidth capacity in the 800MHz band from Visafone and InterCellular. They have recently renewed the much-coveted spectrum of 10MHz in the 1800MHz band. And 5MHz in the 900MHz band for a further period of two years up to 30th April 2027 which they acquired from NTEL through a spectrum leasing transaction.”
MTN, according to Adenuga’s SNO, “is the dominant Operator in the market and if this current overture of MTN becomes successful, it will mean that maximum spectrum bandwidth will be under the control of the incumbent dominant operator putting other operators at a great competitive disadvantage while giving MTN undue competitive advantage. Consequently, we are objecting to the proposed spectrum leasing between 9Mobile and MTN.”
Globacom further states that, “Spectrum is the fundamental resource to decide capacity and speed that can be offered per site. Hence an asymmetric distribution of spectrum would mean the incumbent dominant player in the market will get even more stronger, hence this spectrum leasing could create potential opportunities for anti competitive practices, such as price discrimination, predatory, and exclusionary conduct at the growth of the industry and could have a negative impact on subscribers at a later stage if spectrum asymmetries are not corrected.”
Competitive harm or innovation strategy?
In the view of Globacom, this spectrum asymmetry is now threatening to “create potential opportunities for anti-competitive practices,” including “price discrimination, predatory, and exclusionary conduct,” which may endanger telecoms industry growth and consumer protection in Nigeria.
“Spectrum is the fundamental resource to decide capacity and speed that can be offered per site,” Nigeria’s SNO warns. “An asymmetric distribution of spectrum would mean the incumbent dominant player in the market will get even stronger.”
“Spectrum is the fundamental resource to decide capacity and speed that can be offered per site,” Nigeria’s SNO warns. “An asymmetric distribution of spectrum would mean the incumbent dominant player in the market will get even stronger.”
Globacom further claims that smaller operators, unable to compete on the same technical footing, may be driven out of the market, weakening competition and ultimately leading to higher consumer prices and fewer service options.
Industry Snapshot: Nigeria’s spectrum allocation
Globacom presents a snapshot of the current spectrum holdings across key operators and frequency bands to highlight what Adenuga’s telecoms group views as growing imbalances:
| 700 (MHz) | 800 (MHz) | 900 (MHz) | 1800 (MHz) | 2100 (MHz) | 2600 (MHz) | 3500 (MHz) | TOTAL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OPERATOR | ||||||||
| MTN | 10 | 20 | 10 | 25 | 10 | 40 | 100 | 215 |
| AIRTEL | 15 | 15 | 10 | 30 | 100 | 170 | ||
| GLO | 10 | 5 | 15 | 10 | 40 TDD |
40 FDD – 40 TDD | ||
| 9MOBILE | 5 | 15 | 10 | 30 |
This tally, Globacom insists, makes MTN the dominant force with 215MHz of total spectrum holding, far ahead of Airtel at 170MHz, Globacom at 80MHz and 9mobile at 30MHz.
Legal and regulatory grounding
In its objection, Globacom is invoking the Nigerian Communications Act of 2003 and Competition Practices Regulations of 2007, citing provisions that prohibit any conduct that could substantially lessen competition in any segment of the market.
“Section 91(1) of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003 and Part IV of the Competition Practices Regulations empower the Commission to determine whether such a transaction may result in a dominant market position or lessen competition.”
Globacom is urging the NCC to examine the deal through this lens and apply caution in a fast-consolidating market.
Globacom is requesting that NCC intervenes to deny MTN’s bid and ensure “9mobile gives equal opportunity to other players in the market.”
Adenuga is reiterating his telecoms group’s role as Nigeria’s Second National Carrier, a designation that historically signalled strategic national importance, and emphasises its commitment to national broadband penetration and infrastructure development.
Globacom is making a clear case for regulatory equity in spectrum allocation, warning of a dangerous tilt toward dominance. The telco is placing the ball squarely in NCC’s court to ensure that “no operator becomes too big to compete against.”
“Paucity of spectrum has been one of the main reasons we are finding it increasingly difficult to improve further on the network KPIs,” the operator says, noting that additional spectrum is vital to improve service delivery.
“We wish to state that Globacom as the second National carrier of Nigeria have always been committed to invest heavily for the overall development of the Nigerian telecommunications market and paucity of spectrum has been one of the main reasons we are finding it increasingly difficult to improve further on the network KPIs as it would have been possible with additional spectrum capacity, A competitive telecommunications market is crucial for the economic growth and development of the country and transforming Nigeria into a digital powerhouse in Africa. We therefore respectfully request the Commission to take all necessary measures to decline its approval of the proposed transactions between MTN and 9Mobile to safeguard this vibrant and competitive sector. We request that 9Mobile should be advised to give equal opportunity to other players in the market in order to ensure a level playing field for all players.
Globacom is framing the appeal as not merely a commercial issue but one tied to national interests in securing a vibrant digital economy in Nigeria.
Globacom is making a clear case for regulatory equity in spectrum allocation, warning of a dangerous tilt toward dominance. The telco is placing the ball squarely in NCC’s court to ensure that “no operator becomes too big to compete against.”
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