‘No more airtime’ – New telecom rival gives Nigerians fresh opportunity

A new telecom company has arrived in Nigeria, aiming to challenge industry giants MTN, Airtel, and Glo.

Lebara Nigeria is inviting Nigerians to reserve their preferred phone numbers through its Number Reservation Portal ahead of its official launch. The company, a subsidiary of London-based Lebara Group, is expected to commence services in the third quarter of 2025.

The portal, featuring the 0724 number series, allows customers to choose combinations with personal significance, such as birthdays, lucky numbers, or simple patterns. It also suggests various numbers, including options similar to users’ current phone numbers on other networks.

Requirements to Reserve a Number
To qualify for a phone number reservation, users must be at least 13 years old and provide basic details to receive a one-time password via email. After verification, they must enter their National Identification Number (NIN), which the system uses to confirm personal information such as date of birth. Verified users can then choose from available numbers, with a confirmation email completing the reservation.

Speaking on the initiative, Mary O. Akin-Adesokan, Lebara Nigeria’s Chief Operating Officer, described the initiative as part of the company’s focus on personalization and customer empowerment. She stated, “Our objective is to synergise personalization with cutting-edge technology, thereby empowering customers to reserve numbers that align with their digital identity. Our readiness with the 0724 series and full interconnect setup underscores our unwavering commitment to seamless integration, customer freedom, and market inclusivity.”

Samuel Alabi, Head of Corporate Communications at Lebara Nigeria, explained: “You buy minutes, not airtime. If your call ends in 30 seconds, you still have 99 minutes and 30 seconds left. That’s the kind of clarity and control we are bringing to Nigerian telecoms.”

According to reports, Lebara Nigeria holds a Tier-5 Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) licence, which allows it to offer a full range of telecom services. This licence is also the highest category under the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) regulatory framework. As a Tier-5 MVNO, the company is authorised to lease infrastructure from existing networks and build its offerings on top.

Lebara to Offer eSIM:
Lebara Nigeria aims to leverage its global experience as an MVNO to provide affordable, high-quality mobile services in Nigeria. The company will operate on existing network infrastructure, offering both SIM and eSIM options, full nationwide coverage, and real-time billing transparency.