Nigeria’s telecommunications industry is preparing for a major summit as Africa Hyperscalers hosts the MVNO Nigeria 2025: Unlocking Growth, Competition & Connectivity forum on May 21 in Lagos. The event comes as the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has issued 43 new Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) licenses, signaling a new phase for the sector.
Organisers of the summit said the event is more than just a conference—it is a strategic gathering meant to solve critical problems and create partnerships in the fast-changing telecom landscape. The forum will bring together top figures from MVNOs, mobile network operators, regulators, tech firms, and international telecom experts to examine the key challenges and opportunities in the market.
“This is not just another industry event—it’s a working session and a strategic convening of the minds driving the next wave of connectivity in Nigeria,” the organisers said on Monday. “Aside from licenses, MVNOs in Nigeria need trust, clarity, and alignment with host operators, regulators, funders, and partners. This forum is designed to solve, not just to speak.”
The Nigerian MVNO market is relatively young, but full of potential. MVNOs, which lease network capacity from major telecom operators instead of building their own infrastructure, are seen as a way to expand access, reduce costs, and introduce more competition into the market. However, many MVNOs are struggling with issues such as regulatory compliance, unclear partnerships, and resistance from host operators.
At the heart of the discussions will be the NCC’s MVNO licensing framework, which aims to open up the market and encourage innovation. Stakeholders will discuss how to overcome existing tensions between MVNOs and mobile network operators, and how to ensure cooperation that benefits consumers.
The summit will also focus on underserved areas of the market. Participants will explore how MVNOs can help improve rural broadband access, drive fintech inclusion, and offer affordable enterprise connectivity. There will also be a deep dive into how MVNOs can tap into the Internet of Things (IoT) market, which is still largely untapped in Nigeria.
Organisers say the event will also provide valuable insights from international case studies, where MVNOs have succeeded through focused execution, strong differentiation, and strategic partnerships. These examples will serve as models for how Nigerian operators can achieve scale and profitability.
Among the notable speakers at the summit are Tony Emoekpere, President of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria; Dr. Ayotunde Coker, CEO of Open Access Data Centres; Olusola Teniola, former President of ATCON and now with ipNX; and Ayo Oladejo, Chief Executive of DigiPractice. These leaders will deliver keynote speeches, participate in panel discussions, and join closed-door sessions to align market strategies and policy directions.
The telecom summit comes at a time when Nigeria is looking to deepen digital inclusion and create more competition in the mobile sector. With over 43 MVNO licenses issued, industry watchers say there is a huge opportunity to reshape the market—if the right partnerships and policies are in place.
