The lease of approximately 2,500 network sites, currently served by IHS Nigeria, was due to expire in 2024 and 2025 according to information that MTN Nigeria Communications brought to the attention of the Nigeria Exchange and the investing public on Friday, September 8, 2017.

MTN Nigeria indicated in an exchange filing that “in accordance with MTN Nigeria's Procurement Policy, which aims to ensure a tendering process transparent and competitive, the company launched a call for tenders for these tower contracts”. According to this same exchange file, ATC Nigeria Wireless Infrastructure Solutions Limited (ATC) was selected as the preferred tour company for these sites based on its superior bid submission, after a review of the offers received for tower services for the sites concerned

The filing indicated that this will further diversify the portfolio site and align with proactive initiatives to renegotiate tower deals, focusing on ensuring conditions that will help protect the company from the volatility of the business environment.