Nigeria telecom sector don welcome another operator as Swift Telephone Network Limited, wey many people sabi as STN, collect Unified Access Service Licence from Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC. The licence go allow the company provide voice and data services across Nigeria.
STN talk say the approval land on Wednesday, September 30, 2026. The company call the UASL a big milestone for the long work e don put to grow im telecom operations. With the licence for hand, STN go now compete for market where MTN Nigeria, Airtel Nigeria, Globacom, 9mobile and Lebara dey.
The company say the milestone mark STN formal evolution from early beginnings as telephone call service wey dey operate under umbrella structure, into independent Nigerian telecommunications company. STN say the new position go help am build next generation of digital infrastructure inside Nigeria.
Chief Executive Officer of STN, Oluwole Adetuyi, talk say: ‘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 still talk say telecom companies fit evolve, compete globally, and build institutions of lasting value from Nigeria. According to am, at a time when digital economy dey central to national growth, STN na proof say local ambition, backed by resilience, fit deliver world-class infrastructure.
As STN enter the new phase, the company commit to building a truly Nigerian telecommunications ecosystem. Some key pillars wey the firm list include investment in skills development and training for Nigerian engineers, technicians and digital professionals; prioritising partnerships with Nigerian service providers, contractors and vendors across the value chain; and collaborations with global technology partners to deepen indigenous technical capabilities.
Managing Director and CEO Oluwole Adetuyi talk say the company focus areas include training engineers and digital professionals, forging partnerships with Nigerian vendors, widening connectivity to close digital divide, and creating economic opportunities across telecom value chain.
Director of Legal and Regulatory Affairs for STN, Yetunde Okafor, talk say the company wan build business wey dey rooted in Nigeria but competitive for global scale, DailyTrust Reports.
Adetuyi, who revive STN in February 2017 after the company operations shut down in November 2010, reflect on how far the business don come. Dem found STN in 1998 and had early footprint in digital landline services, voicemail and connectivity projects for institutions including World Health Organisation and Nigerian military.
The company formally apply for the UASL on February 22, 2022, after rebuilding im operations and settling regulatory obligations that follow the earlier shutdown. STN operations stop in November 2010 following infrastructure losses and boardroom challenges.
Adetuyi revive the company in February 2017 alongside Okafor, beginning the process of rebuilding the business. After e reinstate im licence in 2019, STN resume operations in September of the same year, Leadership reports.
The latest UASL approval now give the company pathway to expand telecommunications services nationwide as e prepare to announce im rollout plans and strategic partnerships. STN talk say e go reveal strategic partnerships and national rollout plans in coming weeks.
Earlier, Legit.ng report say Lebara dey enter Nigeria telecoms market as Mobile Virtual Network Operator, meaning e dey deliver services to customers using infrastructure owned by existing network operators rather than building im own. That approach allow the company compete on pricing, distribution and customer experience without the capital outlay wey full mobile network require. Initial service bundle cover mobile voice, SMS, and data, alongside features such as usage tracking.
