Once a beacon of innovation in Nigeria’s telecommunications landscape, 9mobile now finds itself at the centre of swirling shutdown rumours, service disruptions, and a complex legal battle over its ownership.
Launched in 2008 as Etisalat Nigeria, the company quickly gained traction by offering Nigerians a fresh alternative in the telecommunications sector. However, financial challenges in 2017 led to a significant restructuring, with the original foreign investors, Mubadala Development Company, exiting the Nigerian market. The company was subsequently rebranded as 9mobile under new Nigerian ownership.
Adding to its problems, 9mobile is entangled in a legal dispute over its ownership structure. A Nigerian businessman, Abubakar Isa Funtua, has filed a lawsuit claiming rightful ownership of 43 million shares in Teleology Nigeria Limited, the company that acquired 9mobile. The case, involving prominent figures and entities, is currently before a Federal High Court in Abuja.
In response to the growing concerns, 9mobile has categorically denied any plans to shut down its operations. The company attributes recent service disruptions to technical issues, including a fire incident at its main data centre in Lagos and multiple fibre cuts affecting its infrastructure. The company has also refuted claims that it is restricting subscribers from porting to other networks. According to a statement from the company, “We understand that some customers have recently faced challenges, particularly with Mobile Number Portability (MNP), a service that enables seamless network switching. We want to clarify that 9mobile has never restricted customers from porting to other networks”, 9mobile says “Some minor delays may still occur due to ongoing system optimisations, but we are actively working to ensure a smoother experience for all users.”
Despite official statements, public sentiment remains sceptical, fueled by ongoing service issues and the unresolved legal battle. Industry analysts suggest that 9mobile needs a robust public relations campaign to restore confidence among its subscribers and stakeholders.
As 9mobile navigates these turbulent times, the company’s ability to address technical challenges, resolve legal disputes, and rebuild its brand image will be crucial in determining its future in Nigeria’s competitive telecommunications market.
KELECHI OKORIE
