Lagos, Aug. 9 — Nigeria’s 9mobile has rebranded as T2, unveiling an ambitious plan to transform into a digital-first telecommunications company built on innovation, agility, and personalised customer experiences.

At a high-profile launch in Lagos on Friday, Chief Executive Officer Obafemi Banigbe framed the change as a strategic reset rather than a cosmetic shift.

“We are no longer who we were; we are becoming something greater, more ambitious, and more in tune with the future,” Banigbe declared.

The event drew key industry figures, including the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, alongside regulators, shareholders and other stakeholders.

A Push Into Cloud, AI, and Advanced Analytics
Under its new identity, T2 plans to leverage cloud infrastructure, artificial intelligence, and advanced analytics to deliver faster service rollouts and tailored products, aiming to meet the needs of Nigeria’s growing base of startups, creatives, and remote workers.

Banigbe acknowledged the company’s turbulent past, marked by ownership changes and financial strain, but insisted these challenges had bred resilience.

“Our challenges are reminders, not defeats,” he said, dedicating the rebrand to “every Nigerian dreaming of something better” and calling on the country to “reimagine, rebuild, and relaunch.”

Strategic Partnerships to Boost Reach
The rebrand follows a three year national roaming agreement signed in July with MTN Nigeria, approved by the Nigerian Communications Commission. The deal grants T2 customers access to MTN’s nationwide network, improving coverage and service quality especially in underserved regions.

Industry analysts see the partnership as part of a broader collaborative shift among Nigeria’s telecom operators, driven by rising competition and infrastructure costs.

From Etisalat to 9mobile to T2
T2’s journey began in 2008 as Etisalat Nigeria, a joint venture between the UAE’s Etisalat Group, Mubadala Development Company, and Nigerian investors. It quickly captured market share with 3G and 4G LTE services, surpassing 15 million subscribers by 2012.

However, by 2017, mounting debts of about $1.2 billion forced Etisalat Group’s exit, triggering a restructuring and rebrand to 9mobile. In 2018, Teleology Holdings Limited took a controlling stake.

Now, with its second major rebrand in under a decade, T2 is betting that a clear digital-first identity and strategic alliances can revive its fortunes in Nigeria’s fast-evolving telecom market.