In a bold move to fix call drops, slow data, and spotty coverage, MTN Nigeria has pumped a staggering ₦202.4 billion into its network in the first quarter of 2025 alone—its biggest quarterly infrastructure investment ever.
The message is clear: MTN is betting big on better service.
This capital expenditure (CAPEX) represents a 159% jump compared to the same period in 2024 and is aimed squarely at network upgrades, infrastructure expansion, and improving service quality across Nigeria.
The impact is already being felt. In Q1 2025:
● ₦133.7 billion profit was recorded, a big recovery from the ₦392.7 billion loss in Q1 2024.
● Total subscribers climbed to 84.1 million, while active data users hit 50.3 million, reflecting increasing customer confidence.
● Data traffic jumped by 46.4%, with service revenue rising 40.5% to ₦1.06 trillion.
Karl Toriola, MTN Nigeria’s CEO, said: “We are pleased with our performance in the first quarter of 2025, which reflects the continued execution of our strategic priorities and the resilience of demand for our services.
Building on the momentum from Q4 2024, our Q1 results place us firmly on the path to restoring profitability and achieving a positive net asset position within the current financial year, while increasing our investments to improve network and service quality.”
“Although macroeconomic uncertainties persist, we are encouraged by the relative stability of the naira during the period and the moderation in inflation following the rebasing of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in January 2025.”
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But while the numbers look great, MTN Nigeria is still shaking off the effects of a rough 2024, when currency devaluation led to a ₦925 billion forex loss and forced the telco to cancel dividends for shareholders.
Now, the company hopes better service will win back customer loyalty—and restore investor confidence.
A Needed Boost for a Digital Nation
As Nigeria’s demand for data continues to skyrocket—from streaming and remote work to digital banking and AI tools—MTN’s network upgrade could be a game-changer for small businesses, students, and creatives.
However, challenges remain.
High inflation, regulatory hurdles, and continued forex risks could still dampen momentum. And while MTN has hinted at potential tariff adjustments, it will need to strike a balance to avoid pricing out its customer base.
For now, the network giant is signaling that service quality—not just profits—is the real priority in 2025.
If it delivers on that promise, MTN’s massive investment might not just strengthen its towers—it could also rebuild public trust.
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