By Izunna Okafor, Awka
What could be best described as a fresh wave of competition has emerged in Nigeria’s telecommunications industry, as a new entrant, Lebara Nigeria, officially announced the rollout of its unique 0724 number range, signaling its readiness to challenge existing telecom giants like MTN, Glo, and Airtel in the Nigerian market.
The company, which holds a Tier 5 Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) licence — the highest category under Nigeria’s telecom regulatory structure — confirmed on Tuesday that it has completed full interconnectivity with major mobile network operators across the country. This development positions Lebara Nigeria for seamless service delivery and robust market entry from day one.
Speaking on the breakthrough, the Chief Operating Officer of Lebara Nigeria, Mr. Akin Adesokan, described the unveiling of the 0724 number series as a bold reflection of the company’s operational readiness and deep commitment to service quality and consumer satisfaction.
“Our readiness with the 0724 series and full interconnect setup underscores our unwavering commitment to seamless integration, customer freedom, and market inclusivity,” he said.
According to the company, the newly-launched number series is not only a branding identity but also a signal of innovation and disruption in a market long dominated by the traditional “big three” networks. With its entry, Lebara Nigeria is also positioning itself as a digitally driven brand, leveraging modern infrastructure and global experience to expand access and redefine customer engagement across the country.
The company emphasized that it is entering the Nigerian space not as a startup in testing phase, but with the required infrastructure, regulatory compliance, and operational maturity to offer digital-first, user-centric telecom services on a national scale.
While the Nigerian telecom industry continues to expand, with over 220 million active mobile subscriptions as at early 2025, experts say the arrival of Lebara could significantly increase customer options and spur further innovation, especially in terms of pricing, data service flexibility, and customer experience.
With the 0724 number series now fully activated and interconnection with other operators complete, all appears set for Lebara Nigeria to hit the ground running, as the company begins a bold journey into one of Africa’s largest and most dynamic telecom markets.
The development has also drawn attention and reactions from industry analysts and consumers alike, who are watching closely to see how this new competitor will influence market dynamics, service delivery, and possibly the future of mobile communication in Nigeria.
