The Federal Government has announced plans to conduct a thorough assessment of MTN Group’s acquisition of IHS Towers to determine the implications of the deal for Nigeria’s telecommunications sector and overall digital economy. The move follows a landmark agreement in which MTN agreed to buy out the remaining stake in IHS Holding Limited in a transaction valued at billions of dollars.

Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy Minister Dr Bosun Tijani said on Tuesday that the government will work with relevant regulatory authorities to review the acquisition and its potential impact on competition consumer protection and long-term sector sustainability. He noted that telecoms infrastructure is critical to national security economic growth financial services and technological innovation in Nigeria.

MTN’s deal would see it transition from a minority shareholder in IHS to full owner of one of Africa’s largest independent telecom tower operators in a $6.2 billion transaction that has attracted global attention. The government’s review is aimed at safeguarding market balance and ensuring that any consolidation does not disadvantage smaller operators or hinder service quality for Nigerians.

Tijani said the assessment aligns with the administration’s broader digital economy and telecommunications development goals under the Renewed Hope policy direction adding that authorities want to secure investments while protecting consumers. The review process will consider how the acquisition aligns with Nigeria’s national policies on infrastructure ownership and competitive market dynamics.

The acquisition has been pitched by MTN as a strategic move to consolidate tower ownership and reduce long-term operational costs while improving network rollout capabilities across the continent. However the government’s scrutiny reflects concerns about market concentration and the need for careful oversight of major infrastructure deals that could shape the future of digital access in Nigeria.