MTN finally agrees to pay FG N333bn over failure to reveal unregistered phone numbers

MTN finally agrees to pay FG N333bn over failure to reveal unregistered phone numbers


MTN Nigeria has agreed to pay a fine of $1 billion which is equivalent to 330 billion naira over three years, the company said.

The company has also said it would ensure the listing of its shares in the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

The sanction was due to its refusal to comply with a directive to disconnect 5.1 million improperly registered lines before the deadline given to telecoms operators in the country.

Although the fine was subsequently reduced by 25 per cent to N780 billion, MTN Nigeria failed to pay the penalty.

Chairman of the group, Phuthuma Nhleko, who retired in the heat of the crisis, led the negotiation process.

He had said in his resignation letter, 

“The relationship between MTN, the Nigerian government and the Nigerian Communications Commission has been restored and strengthened.”