NatCom Development and Investment Limited, operating under the brand name ntel and the entity that took over Nigeria’s former national telecom operator NITEL, has recently announced a revamped board of directors as it gears up for a commercial relaunch scheduled for January 2026. Insider information reveals that the company is exploring a fixed wireless home broadband service as its initial market entry strategy, potentially preceding a roaming or MVNO model.
The newly appointed board features Adeleke Alex-Adedipe, Ayodeji Joshua Richards, Maryam Mutallab, Olaide Aremu, alongside Soji Maurice-Diya, who will assume the role of Managing Director and CEO. This leadership team will continue to operate under the stewardship of Chairman Gen. T.Y. Danjuma and minority shareholder and legacy director Tunde Ayeni.
This restructuring signals ntel’s renewed commitment to revitalizing its financial health, maximizing asset utilization, and reclaiming a significant position within Nigeria’s telecommunications landscape. The company’s strategic turnaround plan prioritizes stabilizing cash flow, monetizing assets, and resuming commercial operations.
As part of its financial strengthening efforts, ntel is actively leveraging its extensive portfolio of telecom infrastructure and real estate holdings to diversify income sources and boost liquidity ahead of its market re-entry.
In a collective statement, the board characterized this phase as a pivotal chapter in ntel’s resurgence.
“Guiding ntel through this critical juncture is a unique honor. We are invigorated by the prospects before us and are committed to collaborating closely with management to unlock the full potential of our infrastructure, building a future-ready and sustainable enterprise,” the board stated. “Our mission is straightforward: to establish ntel as a resilient, investor-attractive company that advances Nigeria’s digital transformation goals.”
The board members bring a diverse range of expertise essential for ntel’s revival. Alex-Adedipe, Managing Partner at Duale, Ovia & Alex-Adedipe, offers nearly 20 years of specialization in telecommunications and mergers & acquisitions law. Richards, formerly Managing Director of GTBank Gambia, enhances the company’s financial oversight capabilities. Mutallab, founder of the Noble Hall Leadership Academy for Girls, contributes valuable entrepreneurial and social engagement perspectives. Aremu, Group CFO at Ancestral Holdings, provides profound knowledge in corporate finance and governance.
CEO Soji Maurice-Diya emphasized that the board’s composition strategically aligns with the company’s objectives, highlighting that robust governance will be instrumental in regaining investor trust and steering ntel toward becoming a sustainable and growth-driven telecom operator within Nigeria’s evolving digital economy.