Swift Telephone Network Limited (STN) has secured a Unified Access Service Licence (UASL) from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), paving the way for the company to enter Nigeria’s mobile telecommunications market.
The licence, which took effect on October 1, 2026, authorises STN to provide a broad range of telecommunications services, including voice, data, fixed and mobile services.
According to the NCC’s database of licensed operators, the UASL is valid for 10 years and is renewable thereafter.
The licence positions STN to compete in a market dominated by established operators such as MTN Nigeria, Airtel Nigeria, Globacom and 9mobile, now operating as T2.
STN said the new licence marks a significant transition in its evolution from a telephone call service operating under an umbrella structure to an independent Nigerian telecommunications company.
Oluwole Adetuyi, Chief Executive Officer, STN, described the licence as a new phase in the company’s development. “This UASL is not just a licence. It is a new chapter. It represents where we started, what we have endured, how we have evolved, and where we are going. We are building in Nigeria, for Nigeria,” Adetuyi said.
The company said its development has involved navigating changes in the economic environment, regulatory landscape and telecommunications market while building the capacity required to operate as a full-service telecoms provider.
STN said it intends to use the licence to expand telecommunications infrastructure, improve connectivity and contribute to efforts to bridge Nigeria’s digital divide.
The company also plans to invest in skills development and training for Nigerian engineers, technicians and digital professionals.
It said it would prioritise partnerships with local service providers, contractors and vendors while working with international technology partners to strengthen domestic technical capabilities.
According to the company, its expansion could also create opportunities for entrepreneurs involved in distribution, retail and technical support services.
“Our ambition is simple: to help build Nigeria’s digital economy from the ground up,” Adetuyi said.
He added that while the UASL provides the regulatory platform for expansion, the company’s operations would be driven by Nigerian talent, partnerships and innovation.
Yetunde Okafor, STN’s Director of Legal and Regulatory Services, said the company would announce strategic partnerships, infrastructure rollout plans and initiatives for engaging investors and other stakeholders in the coming weeks.
She said the initiatives would form part of STN’s preparations to commence commercial operations under the new licence.
“From its origins as a telephone call service, STN has evolved into a UASL licensed operator committed to building resilient, inclusive, and innovative digital infrastructure for Nigeria,” Okafor said.
STN’s entry comes at a time when Nigeria’s mobile telecommunications market remains concentrated among a handful of operators.
Latest NCC industry data cited in the report showed that MTN had 100.86 million active subscribers in July 2026, giving it 51.76 per cent of the market. Airtel followed with 66.76 million subscribers and a 34.26 per cent share.
Globacom accounted for 23.63 million subscribers, representing 12.13 per cent, while 9mobile, now T2, had 3.61 million subscribers and a 1.85 per cent share.
STN’s UASL gives it the regulatory scope to compete across several segments of the telecommunications market. However, its eventual market position will depend on factors including infrastructure deployment, spectrum access, network investment, pricing, distribution and its ability to attract and retain subscribers.
The company’s entry could therefore add another layer of competition to Nigeria’s telecoms industry, particularly if it follows through with significant network investment and a nationwide commercial rollout.
