By Sunday Oyinloye
One of Nigeria’s foremost telecom operators, 9mobile has rebranded itself as T2, with the aim of becoming a digital-first telecom operator focused on innovation and customer experience, even as its Chief Executive Officer, Obafemi Banigbe says the transition “is not just logo change it is a total evolution of who we are why we exist, and how we deliver value”
Speaking at the rebranding event in Lagos yesterday, Banigbe said the transformation will make 9mobile a cloud-native, data-driven, API-ready operator, able to deliver smarter, personalised services faster.
According to him “becoming digital is not just a cliché, it means empowering of customers with tools and platforms that improve their lives; giving users control and convenience at their fingertips, driven by technology and innovation”.
The CEO disclosed that the company has put the challenges of the past behind it and will build on the lessons learnt from those challenges stressing “we are not ashamed of our scars every setback prepared us for this resurgence, we have returned sharper and more focused”
Banigbe thanked customers, shareholders, regulators, and partners for their continued support through tough times and reaffirmed T2’s commitment to delivering value, relevance, and innovation to all stakeholders
The Minister for Communications Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani in his remarks commended T2 for its bold move and vision to invest in the Nigerian economy and counselled that the rebranding should go beyond a change of name
In his words: “ let this rebrand be more than a change of colours or new logo, but let it be a renewed commitment to innovation, to service excellence and to the millions of Nigerians whose lives and businesses depend on your network every single day.
“Our government will continue to work with ecosystem players like T2 who are bold enough to invest, agile enough to adapt and visionary enough to see that the future belongs to those who embrace change before it’s forced upon them,”
Thomas Etuh, Chairman, Emerging Markets Telecommunications Ltd, described the occasion as one that is significant in many respects for the 9mobile brand, as it represents the start of a new phase of life, a fresh start, rebirth, change or transformation, growth, reawakening, and a new order.
According to him: “It was faith and love for country that prompted my foray into the acquisition of the 9mobile business. I knew it was a tough call,”
He thanked Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC), 9mobile customers and other stakeholders for standing by the brand through all its trials and challenges, including multiple litigations.
“To our amazing customers, please accept my profound gratitude for believing in us. I know our challenges have impacted you in one way or the other. But there is a resilient spirit we share with you. We are rising together again. Together, with you, we are reclaiming all lost grounds” he said
Residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) who spoke with Green Savannah Diplomatic Cable said they were excited about the rebranding.
“I am happy that 9mobile is rebranding, their customer service is the best. Even in the face of challenges, the customer service staff will always take time to explain things in polite manner and give hope, I am excited that they have come back stronger” said John Andrew
Speaking in the same vein, Aminat Ibrahim who sells kitchen utensils at the popular Wuse market says she’s optimistic that with the rebranding and transition from 9mobile to T2, the telecom operation will serve its customers better, a view which was also expressed by a banker Uche Okoroafor, a Bolt driver, Olasunkanmi Ayoola, and Jumai Ibrahim, a Civil Servant.
