9mobile unveils new leadership after LH Telecom acquisition

Emerging Markets Telecommunication Services Limited, operating as 9mobile, is ushering in a new era of leadership following a significant equity investment by LH Telecommunication Limited.

With the endorsement from key regulatory bodies—the Nigerian Communications Commission and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission—this investment has reshaped the company’s governance structure.

Approved by the African Export-Import Bank, the transaction has granted LH Telecommunication 95.5 per cent ownership of 9mobile, heralding fresh capital infusion and strategic direction.

According to a statement from the telco on Sunday, this pivotal change has brought a distinguished roster of professionals to 9mobile’s new leadership.

Obafemi Banigbe 

Obafemi Banigbe as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Company will lead the company through this transition stage and take it on the path of recovery.

The new CEO is an accomplished technology executive with a proven track record of steering technological innovations and strategic initiatives throughout various pivotal markets across Africa.

He has over 24 years in the telecommunications industry and has worked in different capacities within the industry, including as Network Operations director at Airtel Nigeria, Chief Technology Officer at Millicom International Cellular Tanzania, Chief Operating Officer and interim Chief Executive Officer of Millicom Ghana.

Thomas Etuh 

Thomas Etuh has been appointed Chairman of the Board at 9mobile. With over 36 years of experience across key sectors of the African economy—including agriculture, fertilizer production, mining, banking, telecommunications, power, and aviation—Thomas brings a wealth of expertise and leadership.

He is the founder of the Tak Group of Companies and has previously served as Chairman of Unity Bank Plc, Veritas Kapital Assurance Plc, and Lighthouse Capital Limited. He currently chairs Notore Chemicals Industries Plc and leads the Jennifer Etuh Foundation, where he has advanced healthcare and empowerment projects in Nigeria’s underserved regions.

Nahim Ibraheem

Nahim Ibraheem joins 9mobile with over 30 years of experience in finance, oil trade, procurement, and manufacturing. Starting his career at Orbit Communications, Nahim founded Soveran Nigeria Limited in 1995.

As Chairman of Euronat Nigeria Limited, he has overseen major oil product exports and has held significant roles with VShips Monaco S.A., Africa Merchant Bank, and Société Générale Bank France.

He is also Chairman of Veritas Kapital Assurance PLC and Lighthouse Capital Limited and serves as a Non-Executive Director at the VFD Group and Veritas Glanvills Pensions Ltd. His board experience extends to Morris Nigeria Limited and Superphosphate Fertilisers & Chemicals Limited.

Femi Edun

Femi Edun is a distinguished financial services professional with over 35 years in assurance, consulting, credit ratings, research, investment banking, and proprietary investment.

His career spans notable roles at Akintola Williams & Co. (now Deloitte), Price Waterhouse (now PwC), Agusto & Co. Limited, and Frontier Capital Limited. Femi has contributed to several pioneering initiatives and landmark transactions in the financial services sector.

His past roles include serving as a non-executive director at the Bank of Industry. Currently, he chairs Craneburg Construction Limited and holds non-executive director positions at Chevron Closed Pension Fund Administrators Limited, Notore Chemical Industries Plc, and Agusto & Co. Limited.

The following new members to the Board of Directors of 9mobile.

Senator Daisy Danjuma 

Senator Daisy Danjuma, elected as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2003, has a distinguished record of service, including her roles as Chairman of the ECOWAS Parliament’s Women and Children’s Rights Committee and the Senate Committee on Women Affairs and Youth Development.

After her legislative tenure, she served as Executive Vice Chairman of SAPETRO until December 2023, when she was appointed Executive Chairman. Senator Danjuma is the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the H.I.D. Awolowo Foundation, Women at Risk International Foundation, and Lagos Public Interest Law Partnership, and she also chairs May & Baker Nigeria Plc.

Her previous roles include state counsel in the Lagos State Ministry of Justice, pioneer legal counsel to the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, and company secretary/legal adviser to the Nigerian Television Authority.

Senator Danjuma is a member of the International Bar Association, the Nigerian Bar Association, and the International Federation of Female Lawyers and holds honorary doctorate degrees from the University of Ibadan, the University of Benin, and Redeemer’s University.

Michael Ikpoki

Michael Ikpoki is a seasoned business executive with over 25 years of experience in the African telecom industry. He has held prominent roles, including Chief Executive Officer of MTN Ghana and MTN Nigeria.

Michael is the founder and Managing Partner of Africa Context Advisory Partners, where he leads consulting teams specializing in telecom and ICT across Africa. He is Chairman of the Boards of Capricorn Digital Limited and Amplitude Telecoms Africa Limited and serves on the Boards of Telecel Group and Unilever Nigeria Plc.

Ibrahim Puri

Ibrahim Puri brings over 30 years of extensive banking experience to 9mobile, including roles in operations, marketing, retail, corporate banking, and human resources.

As a former Executive Director at United Bank for Africa, he managed operations in Northern Nigeria. Currently, he serves on the boards of Nigerian Breweries Plc and is Chairman of Redtech Limited, a member of the Heirs Holdings Group.

Gloria Danjuma

Gloria Danjuma is a dynamic leader with over 20 years of experience in driving growth and transformation across various industries. She currently chairs NAL/Comet Group, Unitrust Insurance Limited, and Wheatbaker Investment Properties Limited.

Gloria also serves as a Board Member of the TY Danjuma Family Office, Novotel Hotel Port Harcourt, and is a member of the TY Danjuma Foundation Board of Trustees.

Emmanuel Etuh

Emmanuel Etuh is a business executive with extensive experience in law, finance, and operations. He serves as Executive Director, Corporate Services at Lighthouse Capital, where he oversees investments, client service, risk, and technology. Emmanuel is also on the boards of Veritas Kapital Assurance Plc and Tak Agro & Chemicals Limited.

His career includes roles at Banwo & Ighodalo, the International Bar Association in London, and TMD Advisory Services. He is the founding partner at Haute and Peers LP, providing strategic advice to technology, media, and telecoms players in Nigeria.

Others team members 

Similarly, the Board approved the appointment of John Vasikiran as the company’s Chief Operating Officer and Abolaji Idowu as Chief Financial Officer.

John Vasikiran is a technology business executive with over 25 years of experience as a dynamic & results-oriented CXO, providing Strategic and Operations leadership in uniquely challenging situations. John had successful stints as a Group Chief Commercial Officer of Glo Nigeria, Glo Ghana, and Glo Benin.

He was also CEO of Cellcom (Orange) in Liberia, CEO of Cellcom- Guinea (Conakry) and was Director of Business Development & Sales (Africa Region) for Ribbon Communications formerly Nortel Networks. Prior to this, John held various Sr. level Positions in MA Group, including as Managing Director of Conoil Plc and Director Commercials of Glo Nigeria.