Mike Adenuga's Globacom Revolutionizes Nigeria's Telecoms

Professor Tayo Popoola of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) Department of Communication published a tribute marking 23 years of Globacom's operations in Nigeria, founded by Mike Adenuga. Adenuga's journey in telecommunications began with a GSM licence in 1999, which was revoked shortly after.

He returned in 2002, winning the Second National Operator licence, and launched mobile services on August 29, 2003. Globacom distinguished itself by billing calls by the second, challenging market norms and prompting competitors to follow suit.

The company also reduced SIM card acquisition costs, expanding access to mobile services. Additionally, Globacom invested in the Glo-1 submarine fibre-optic cable, a 9,800-kilometre link that began service in 2010, allowing direct ownership of international connectivity.

Popoola noted that the telecom landscape has evolved since 2003 due to technological advancements, and he characterized Adenuga's approach as a refusal to accept limitations in the market.