Nigeria’s telecommunications company, ntel, will re-enter the country’s telecoms market in the first quarter of 2026, according to its Chief Executive Officer, Soji Maurice-Diya.
Maurice-Diya announced the planned return during the latest edition of the Technology Times Thought Leadership Series held in Lagos.
He said the company, owned by NatCom Development & Investment Limited, will resume operations under a new model focused on digital service delivery and strategic partnerships rather than infrastructure ownership.
He explained that ntel’s re-entry marks a new phase for the company, which plans to operate as a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO).
The model will rely on existing wholesale network arrangements and spectrum-sharing agreements to provide data and digital services across the country.
Maurice-Diya described Nigeria’s telecoms sector as mature and competitive, but said future growth would depend more on innovation and value-added services than subscriber expansion.
“The next wave will not come from connectivity alone—it will come from what we build on top of connectivity,” he said. “It’s time to innovate, not just interconnect.”
He noted that with more than 200 million active lines and growing broadband access, opportunities now exist in sectors such as agriculture, education, fintech, and entertainment.
The ntel chief commended the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for maintaining regulatory stability but urged policymakers to create frameworks that encourage innovation and investment.
He called for a more predictable policy environment that supports both large and smaller operators, especially those operating virtual networks.
On broadband expansion, Maurice-Diya said the gap between urban and rural areas remains significant and called for incentive-driven models and renewable-powered infrastructure to support connectivity in underserved regions.
He also underscored the importance of building local capacity, saying Nigeria’s digital transformation depends on developing skilled manpower.
He cited the government’s Three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme as a key initiative for preparing the workforce needed for the digital economy.
Maurice-Diya further called for better coordination among key policy institutions, including the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, NCC, NITDA, and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), to align digital policies and reduce regulatory overlaps.
“Telecoms infrastructure is a long-term play, but investors need confidence that policies will not change midstream,” he said.