MTN Nigeria has announced plans to increase its fibre investments to connect eight million homes across the country within the next three years. Tobe Okigbo, Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer, disclosed this during the MTN Media Innovation Programme (MIP) Alumni Ask Me Anything session in Lagos.
Investment in Fibre Infrastructure
Okigbo stated that the telecom company is making substantial investments in home fibre infrastructure, despite challenges such as regulatory approvals, physical deployment requirements, and the extended period needed to recover costs. Checks reveal that MTN Nigeria has invested over N1 trillion in capital expenditure, with a significant portion dedicated to expanding its Fibre-to-the-Home (FTTH) network, FibreX, and broader national fibre infrastructure.
According to Okigbo, fibre broadband differs from mobile internet services because customers pay for connection speed rather than bandwidth consumption. This investment is part of MTN's broader strategy to gradually transition customers from heavy mobile internet usage to fixed broadband services for home connectivity.
Evolving Telecom Landscape
Okigbo noted that the global telecommunications industry is evolving beyond traditional voice and data services, driven by advances in artificial intelligence, 5G, smart devices, and internet-connected homes. He warned that telecom operators who fail to adapt risk becoming mere providers of connectivity infrastructure while technology companies capture greater value from digital services.
"The future of telecoms is no longer just about expanding coverage. It is also about building services and platforms around network infrastructure to remain relevant and competitive," he said.
Tariff Adjustments
On recent tariff increases, Okigbo explained that the adjustments were necessary to address rising operating costs, inflation, and sector sustainability concerns. He cited increased diesel prices and other operational expenses as major factors affecting the cost of delivering telecom services in Nigeria. According to him, tariff pricing should increasingly reflect market realities and inflation trends, while allowing consumers to switch providers offering better value.
Service Quality and Compensation
Speaking on service quality, Okigbo said MTN has compensated customers in cases of poor network performance and remains in discussions with regulators on accountability for service failures. He explained that discussions are ongoing to distinguish between network issues caused directly by operators and those resulting from external factors such as vandalism, construction activities, and infrastructure damage. Okigbo stated that MTN supports compensating customers for genuine service lapses but seeks clarity on regulatory parameters guiding such liabilities.
He added that fibre deployment remains more complex than mobile network expansion because it involves physical cable installation, local government approvals, and detailed service planning.
Mobile Money Operations
On mobile money operations, Okigbo said MTN Group has acquired a 60 per cent stake in MoMo across its markets to strengthen competitiveness and improve customer experience. He concluded that the future of telecom will also be shaped by embedded connectivity, smart homes, connected vehicles, and broader Internet of Things adoption.
