Swift Telephone Network Limited (STN) has secured a 10-year Unified Access Service Licence from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), paving the way for its entry into Nigeria’s mobile telecommunications market.
The licence, which took effect on Thursday, October 1, 2026, authorises the Nigerian-owned company to provide voice, data, fixed and mobile telecommunications services, placing it in the same regulatory category as established operators such as MTN Nigeria and Airtel Nigeria.
STN disclosed the development in a statement, describing the approval as a major milestone in its evolution from a telephone call service into a full-service telecommunications operator.
Its entry comes as MTN and Airtel continue to account for the bulk of Nigeria’s active mobile subscriptions, according to industry figures published by the NCC.
In July 2026, MTN had 100.86 million active subscribers, representing 51.76 per cent of the market, while Airtel had 66.76 million subscribers, or 34.26 per cent. Globacom accounted for 23.63 million subscribers, while T2, formerly 9mobile, had 3.61 million.
STN Chief Executive Officer, Oluwole Adetuyi, said the licence marked 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,” he said.
The company said it planned to invest in telecommunications infrastructure, expand connectivity and support efforts to bridge Nigeria’s digital divide.
It also pledged to prioritise the training of Nigerian engineers, technicians and digital professionals, while building partnerships with local service providers, contractors and vendors alongside international technology firms.
According to STN, its expansion plans are expected to create employment and business opportunities for entrepreneurs in distribution, retail and support services.
“Our ambition is simple: to help build Nigeria’s digital economy from the ground up,” Adetuyi added.
STN Director of Legal and Regulatory Services, Yetunde Okafor, said the company would announce strategic partnerships, infrastructure rollout plans and investor engagement programmes in the coming weeks as it prepares to commence commercial operations.
She said STN had evolved from its origins as a telephone call service into a licensed operator committed to developing resilient and inclusive digital infrastructure.
The impact of STN’s entry will depend on its infrastructure deployment, spectrum arrangements, network investment, pricing and ability to attract subscribers in a market dominated by established operators.
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