Swift Telephone Network Limited (STN) has been awarded a Unified Access Service Licence (UASL) by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), marking its formal transition into an independent Nigerian telecommunications operator.

The announcement was made in Lagos on 1 October 2026. The licence allows STN to provide a full range of telecommunications services, including voice, data and access services across Nigeria, subject to regulatory conditions.

Chief Executive Officer Oluwole Adetuyi described the award as a defining moment in the company’s journey.
“This UASL is not just a licence. It is a new chapter. It represents where we started, what we have endured, how we have evolved, and where we are going. We are building in Nigeria, for Nigeria,” he said.

STN began as a telephone call service operating under an umbrella structure. Over the years, the company navigated changing economic conditions, evolving regulations and market challenges to emerge as a full-service operator ready to compete at scale.

Adetuyi said the milestone demonstrates that Nigerian businesses can endure, adapt and build lasting institutions. He emphasised that at a time when the digital economy is central to national growth, STN stands as proof that local ambition and resilience can deliver world-class infrastructure.

The company outlined four key priorities for its next phase:

– Investing in skills development and training for Nigerian engineers, technicians and digital professionals.
– Prioritising partnerships with Nigerian service providers, contractors and vendors, while collaborating with global technology partners.
– Rolling out telecommunications infrastructure to expand access and help bridge the digital divide.
– Creating employment opportunities and supporting Nigerian entrepreneurs in distribution, retail and support services.

“Our ambition is simple: to help build Nigeria’s digital economy from the ground up,” Adetuyi added. “This licence gives us the platform. Nigerian talent, Nigerian partners, and Nigerian innovation will give us the momentum.”

STN said it will in the coming weeks announce strategic partnerships, infrastructure rollout plans and stakeholder engagement programmes as it begins commercial operations under the new licence.

The Unified Access Service Licence authorises the holder to provide fixed, mobile, voice and data services nationwide under the applicable regulatory framework.