Nigeria Vows to Review Impact of MTN’s Acquisition of IHS Towers
The Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy has said it undertake “a thoughtful assessment” of the acquisition of IHS Towers by MTN Group.
In a statement on Tuesday, Bosun Tijani
Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, noted that over the past two years, the Presidential Bola Tinubu administration has taken deliberate steps to stabilise and strengthen the telecommunications sector as a critical pillar of Nigeria’s digital economy.
He said that through policy clarity, regulatory support, and sustained engagement with industry stakeholders, the government has prioritised long-term sustainability, investor confidence, and improved sector performance.
He said: “Recent financial results announced by key operators indicate a return to improved profitability, increased investment in telecoms infrastructure and operational stability across the sector. This progress reflects the resilience of the industry and the impact of reforms aimed at ensuring its viability and capacity to continue delivering meaningful connectivity to Nigerians.
“Given the strategic importance of telecommunications infrastructure to national security, economic growth, financial services, innovation, and social inclusion, and to ensure strategic actions by private sector operators are in line with the market development agenda under the Renewed Hope policy directions of the President, the Ministry will undertake a thorough assessment of this development in collaboration with the relevant regulatory authorities to review its impact on the sector.
“Our objective is clear: to ensure that any market consolidation or structural changes protect consumers, safeguard investments, and preserve the long-term sustainability of the sector.
“We remain committed to maintaining a stable, transparent, and forward-looking policy environment that keeps Nigeria’s telecommunications industry on a strong and sustainable path, in alignment with our broader vision of building a robust digital economy.”
