MTN, Nigeria’s leading mobile network operator, announced the closure of all its offices across the country on Tuesday.
The decision, communicated through a post on the company’s X handle, urged customers to utilize its digital services, emphasizing, “Yello customer, please be informed that our shops nationwide will be closed today, 30th July. We are available 24/7 to support you via our digital channels.”
The closure comes on the heels of violent protests that erupted at several MTN locations on Monday, where frustrated subscribers gathered in response to the company’s recent decision to block numerous phone lines. This action was taken due to concerns surrounding the compulsory linkage of National Identification Numbers (NIN) with mobile numbers, a requirement that has sparked widespread dissatisfaction among users.
Eyewitness accounts reported that the situation escalated in various states, with some members of the crowd resorting to throwing stones at MTN offices, signaling deepening unrest and frustration among customers. While MTN has yet to provide an official explanation for the nationwide office shutdown, the company is facing mounting pressure as it navigates the fallout from these events and strives to maintain its standing as the largest mobile service provider in Nigeria, catering to millions of subscribers.
