Government appreciates MTNs contribution to Nigeria’s GDP says Shittu

The Nigerian government appreciates MTNs contribution to Nigeria’s GDP, the Minister of communications Adebayo Shittu said, during his working visit to MTN on Monday.

“I want to assure you that the Nigerian government has nothing personal against MTN. In fact, the government appreciates the contributions MTN Nigeria is making to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), generating employment and putting smiles on the faces of Nigerians. I have listened to all that have been presented and would urge that I have the documents so I can further study and appreciate more of your contributions. It and also assist in letting Nigerians know the great things you are doing,” Shittu said.

MTN has invested more than $16bn in Nigeria over the past 15 years and contribute an estimated 4.5 percent to GDP.

MTN Nigeria is the first GSM Company that the minister will be visiting.

MTN is Nigeria’s largest telecoms provider and has about 61.2 million subscribers.

MTN recently invested $94 million in renewing its 2G licenses. It also concluded the acquisition of Visafone Communications, a 4G/LTE licence and digital TV spectrum.

Shittu said the motivation for visiting companies is to do everything to give motivation and encouragement to companies operating in Nigeria.

“MTN has made a lot of stride, pioneering efforts if I may say in regards to investment, in regards to liberating Nigerians as it were because time was when you have to phone a relation, you have to go to NITEL, queue up and pay through your  nose for a minute or two. But with the coming of MTN and GSM, things have been wonderful,” Shittu said.

“There is no doubt over the last couple of months we have had issues; those issues are normal in relationships like this. I think also that MTN appreciates the fact that Nigerians love MTN. More than half of people who patronize GSM operations in Nigeria are your customers and I think that is an appreciation which must be acknowledged.”

MTN Nigeria is the largest music distributor in Africa and its investments in Mobile Money and Africa Internet Holdings (which houses well-known brands like online retailer Jumia and real estate player Lamudi) provide an exciting platform for the next phase of evolution of the mobile telecoms sector.

The MTN Foundation has invested N18 billion in 550 projects and empowered more than 3 million people in communities across Nigeria since its inception and focuses on sustainable projects in three key areas, namely health, education and economic empowerment.

“Another area I wish MTN invest is in health, particularly the issues of kidney problem. I think MTN as the leading GSM Company in Nigeria must put focus on this national tragedy. I am for everybody in the industry and am also ready to collaborate and learn from you.  Every Nigerian is a potential benefactor of whatever humanitarian project that you put forward. Whatever new idea you have just put them on paper and let us discuss and see how to move the industry forward,” Shittu said.

 

PATRICK ATUANYA