MTN Nigeria Communications, has disclosed plans to invest over N600bn in network infrastructure over the next three years to improve telecommunications services across the country.
The chairman of MTN Nigeria Communications, Dr Ernest Ndukwe, who disclosed this during the company’s 20th anniversary celebration in Lagos, said that MTN was also committed to expanding its rural connectivity to reach areas that were underserved” across the country.
He added:“We plan to connect approximately 1000 rural communities to our network this year with an additional 2000 communities in 2022″
He expressed optimism about what the future holds for Nigeria’s digital economy and looked forward to building it together with all stakeholders.
In his remarks, Chief Executive Officer of the company, Karl Toriola, restated MTN’s planned participation in the restoration and rehabilitation of the Onitsha-Enugu Expressway through the Federal Government’s Road Infrastructure Tax Credit ((RITC) Scheme.
He explained that the development was a response to government’s drive towards public-private partnership in the rehabilitation of critical road infrastructure in Nigeria.
He said:“We’ve initiated plans for the construction of a purpose-built, state-of-the-art head office in Lagos. We will also be selling down 14 per cent of MTN shares to over two million Nigerian retail investors,” Toriola said.
He appreciated the government for its vision in liberalising the telecommunications sector and the robust framework developed by the regulators.
He added:“We firmly believe that Nigeria’s digital journey is only just beginning and that the future is filled with promises. Working together, we can and will build the more prosperous and inclusive future we seek and empower even more Nigerian to do greater things,” the MTN chief executive said.
