By Gabriel Ameh
Swift Telephone Network Limited (STN) has secured a Unified Access Service Licence (UASL) from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), formally positioning the company to operate as a telecommunications service provider in Nigeria.
The NCC’s current licence records list Swift Telephone Network Limited among holders of Unified Access Services licences, with the company’s licence taking effect from October 1, 2026.
The milestone marks a new phase for STN, which said it has evolved from its early beginnings as a telephone call service operating under an umbrella structure into an independent Nigerian telecommunications company.
Chief Executive Officer of STN, Oluwole Adetuyi, described the licence as more than a regulatory approval, saying it represents the company’s growth and its plans for the future.
“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,” Adetuyi said.
According to the company, its journey has involved navigating changing economic conditions, evolving regulations and market challenges.
STN said it has responded through what it described as perseverance and adaptation, positioning the company to operate as a full-service telecommunications provider.
The UASL allows a licensee to provide a range of telecommunications services under a single licence. The NCC says the licence permits services including digital mobile and fixed telephony, national long-distance and international gateway services.
Adetuyi said STN’s transition demonstrates the potential of Nigerian businesses to evolve and build institutions capable of creating long-term value.
“At a time when the digital economy is central to national growth, STN is proof that local ambition, backed by resilience, can deliver world-class infrastructure,” he said.
As it begins its new phase, STN said it plans to focus on developing what it described as a truly Nigerian telecommunications ecosystem.
The company listed skills development and training for Nigerian engineers, technicians and digital professionals among its priorities.
It also plans to strengthen partnerships with Nigerian service providers, contractors and vendors across the telecommunications value chain, while working with global technology partners to deepen local technical capabilities.
STN said infrastructure development will be another major focus, with plans to roll out telecommunications infrastructure aimed at expanding access and helping to bridge Nigeria’s digital divide.
The company also plans to create direct employment and business opportunities for Nigerians in areas including distribution, retail and support services, while increasing Nigerian participation, ownership and leadership across the telecoms value chain.
“Our ambition is simple: to help build Nigeria’s digital economy from the ground up,” Adetuyi said.
He added: “This licence gives us the platform. Nigerian talent, Nigerian partners, and Nigerian innovation will give us the momentum.”
STN said it will announce strategic partnerships, infrastructure rollout plans and programmes for investors and other stakeholders in the coming weeks as it prepares to commence commercial operations under the UASL.
Swift Telephone Network Limited is an independent Nigerian telecommunications company. The company said its evolution from a telephone call service to a UASL-licensed operator reflects its commitment to building resilient, inclusive and innovative digital infrastructure in Nigeria.
Credit: Swift Telephone Network Limited (STN) press statement; Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) licence records.
