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ntel Set for Commercial Relaunch as AMCON Drives Revival Plan
Nigerian telecom operator ntel is set for a major comeback as the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) arranges new funding to support its commercial relaunch by the first quarter of 2026.
RELATED: Ex-MTN Nigeria Chief Adrian Wood leads ntel’s $550m transformation
The fresh capital injection, whose size remains undisclosed, marks a significant milestone in AMCON’s ongoing effort to revive the long-distressed telecom company.
AMCON, which took full management control of ntel in 2024 and currently holds a 55% controlling stake, has been spearheading the company’s restructuring to restore operational stability. In August 2025, the corporation reportedly injected ₦30.72 billion into ntel as part of its broader turnaround program.
Despite an earlier directive from President Bola Tinubu suggesting the sale of ntel “even for scrap,” AMCON insists the company must achieve operational viability before any divestment to private investors.
New Leadership and Business Strategy
To drive the revival, AMCON appointed Soji Maurice-Diya, former CEO of American Tower Nigeria (ATC), as ntel’s new CEO in May 2025. He replaced Adrian Wood, the former MTN Nigeria boss who previously led a $550 million fundraising initiative for the firm.
Under the new leadership, ntel is adopting a hybrid operational model, combining its existing infrastructure with Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) capabilities. The strategy allows the company to leverage both its own national assets and the infrastructure of other operators for a cost-efficient re-entry into the telecom market.
Leveraging Legacy Assets and Infrastructure
ntel retains substantial national infrastructure inherited from its NITEL-MTel legacy, including:
- 3,500 kilometres of fibre-optic cable
- Over 600 base stations in key Nigerian cities
These assets position ntel to provide both retail and wholesale telecom services, offering bandwidth, connectivity, and enterprise solutions to other operators and large organizations.
In September 2025, ntel also announced its “Fusion Sites” pilot project, integrating advanced network technology with sustainable power solutions to minimize operating costs and boost network reliability.
Building Capacity for a 2026 Relaunch
Although ntel’s commercial services have not yet resumed, the company has begun rebuilding its workforce. Job listings for positions such as Regional Admin Coordinator, Financial Planning Assistant Manager, and Front Desk Officer indicate active preparations for its relaunch.
AMCON has also been generating interim revenue by leasing portions of ntel’s spectrum to MTN Nigeria, allowing the telecom giant to utilize ntel’s frequencies in select states pending the full relaunch.
A Test Case for Nigeria’s Telecom Revival
ntel’s revival represents a critical test case in Nigeria’s efforts to rehabilitate troubled state-linked enterprises. Originally created to replace the defunct NITEL and MTel, ntel’s 2026 relaunch could make it the first state-rescued telecom operator to successfully re-enter Nigeria’s competitive telecom market.
