9mobile Reinvents as T2 in Major Digital-First Rebrand

Nigerian telecom operator 9mobile has unveiled a major transformation, rebranding as T2 in a strategic shift toward digital innovation and enhanced customer experience.

At a Lagos launch event attended by Communications Minister Dr. Bosun Tijani and industry leaders, CEO Obafemi Banigbe framed the move as more than a name change: “We are becoming something greater—aligned with the future.”

The company aims to leverage cloud technology, AI, and advanced analytics to serve Nigeria’s growing base of startups, digital creatives, and remote workers with faster, personalized solutions.

The rebrand follows T2’s recent national roaming partnership with MTN Nigeria, approved by regulators to expand coverage, especially in underserved areas. Banigbe acknowledged past struggles—including Etisalat’s 2017 exit over $1.2bn debts—but emphasized resilience: “Our challenges are reminders, not defeats.”

Originally launched in 2008 as Etisalat Nigeria, the firm rebranded to 9mobile after financial restructuring and ownership changes. Now, as T2, it seeks to redefine its role in Nigeria’s competitive telecom landscape by prioritizing digital agility and customer-centric services.

“This is for every Nigerian dreaming of better,” Banigbe declared, urging the nation to “reimagine, rebuild, and relaunch.”

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled: Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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