Despite the resignation of MTN Group CEO Sifiso Dabengwa, Nigeria’s telecom regulatory agency, the Nigerian Communications Commission is unyielding.
It insists the firm must pay the $5.2 billion fine for failing to cut off subscribers with unregistered SIM cards. The payment deadline is November 16.
Attempts by the MTN chiefs to get a reprieve over the fine have been rebuffed by Nigerian officials. One report said the government position was conveyed to an MTN delegation a few days ago by Malam Abba Kyari, Chief of staff to President Muhammadu Buhari.
“The MTN Group delegation met with the Chief of Staff to the President, Malam Abba Kyari and he told them they must pay the fine,”
“The November 16 deadline still stands. No concession, the government is only interested in seeing $5.2bn paid by MTN,” one NCC official said.