…As Sanwo-Olu, Minister laud company on resilience, innovation
Telecommunications operator 9mobile has unveiled plans to reclaim a leading position in Nigeria’s mobile industry with a sweeping rebrand to its new corporate identity, T2.
The official transition was announced yesterday in Lagos, marking what the company describes as a pivotal stage in its four-phase recovery roadmap: Stabilisation, Modernisation, Transformation and Growth. The plan was initiated after the landmark 2023 acquisition of 9mobile by Lighthouse Telecoms, headed by entrepreneur and investor Thomas Etuh.
Since the takeover, the firm has implemented significant structural changes, including the appointment of a renewed board and fresh executive leadership.
Figures from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) as of May 2025 place 9mobile’s subscriber base at 2.6 million, representing a 1.55 per cent market share. In a bid to reclaim ground lost over the years, the company has also signed a notable infrastructure-sharing agreement with MTN.
Chief Executive Officer Obafemi Banigbe said the transition from 9mobile to T2 represents far more than a change of name, describing it as a complete redefinition of the company’s identity, purpose and delivery.
“T2 represents our next chapter. It is a symbol of our renewed dedication to innovation, resilience, and an enhanced focus on customer experience. We are creating a brand equipped to flourish in the digital economy,” he said, adding that the network is evolving into a cloud-native, API-ready operation with solutions driven by innovation and data.
Chairman of Emerging Markets Telecommunications Ltd, Thomas Etuh, called the unveiling a turning point for the brand, representing renewal, transformation, growth and a fresh order. He acknowledged the challenges of steering the business through years of legal battles and operational setbacks, noting that his decision to acquire the company was motivated by both faith and a commitment to Nigeria.
“To our customers, I am deeply grateful for your trust. I know our difficulties have affected you in one way or another, but we share a resilient spirit. We are rising together again and reclaiming what has been lost,” Etuh told the audience.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu commended the rebrand, calling it a strong demonstration of creativity, resilience and technological capability. Speaking at the launch ceremony, themed “Tech Meets Tenacity” at the Eko Hotels Convention Centre, Victoria Island, the governor, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Barrister Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, said the initiative reflects Lagos State’s ambition to build a connected, competitive and forward-looking city powered by robust public-private collaboration.
He outlined state-led investments in digital infrastructure, including start-up funding through the Lagos State Science, Research and Innovation Council (LASRIC), Smart City projects, the Eko Excel education programme and digitised healthcare platforms.
While praising T2’s unveiling as a product tailored for creators and designed for Nigeria, he remarked that technology alone was insufficient without the determination to apply and improve it to advance national progress.
Sanwo-Olu restated his government’s pledge to encourage innovation, positioning Lagos as not only Africa’s commercial nerve centre but also a future-ready global city.
In a goodwill message, the Minister of Communication, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, congratulated the T2 team on the rebrand and called on the management to sustain a strong commitment to service excellence for the many businesses that depend on their network.
The launch was attended by prominent figures from Nigeria’s technology sector and business community. The event also featured performances by the 9mobile choir, adding a lively note to the proceedings.
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