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China Mobile makes local traffic debut in Nigeria as world’s largest mobile operator connects IXPN
Nigeria’s internet ecosystem has received a major international boost as the Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria (IXPN) announces that China Mobile International Limited (CMI) has officially joined its peering fabric, a move expected to strengthen Nigeria’s position as a regional hub for global data traffic and digital interconnection in West Africa.
The development integrates CMI, the international subsidiary of China Mobile Limited, widely regarded as the world’s largest mobile operator by subscriber base, into Nigeria’s growing local interconnection ecosystem.
By connecting directly to the IXPN network, CMI will now be able to exchange internet traffic locally with Nigerian networks, reducing reliance on costly international transit routes and improving the efficiency of data exchange within the country.
IXPN describes the onboarding of CMI as a “landmark moment” for Nigeria’s internet ecosystem, noting that the partnership is expected to improve connectivity performance for enterprises, service providers and internet users nationwide.
IXPN: China Mobile International debut is “landmark moment” for Nigeria’s internet ecosystem
The announcement comes as IXPN continues its rapid expansion across Africa’s digital infrastructure landscape. Recent industry data shows that the exchange point recorded a peak traffic milestone of two terabits per second (Tbps) in late 2025, reinforcing its position as Africa’s leading community-driven Internet Exchange Point (IXP).
Industry stakeholders say the addition of global carriers like CMI could encourage more international telecoms operators, hyperscalers and content delivery networks to establish local peering arrangements in Nigeria, further accelerating the country’s digital economy ambitions.
IXPN describes the onboarding of CMI as a “landmark moment” for Nigeria’s internet ecosystem, noting that the partnership is expected to improve connectivity performance for enterprises, service providers and internet users nationwide.
“CMI’s presence on the IXPN fabric means that Nigerian businesses, enterprises, and internet users stand to benefit from enhanced connectivity, faster traffic exchange, and access to a truly global telecommunications network, right here, locally,” the exchange says in a statement seen by Technology Times.
The exchange point says localising internet traffic remains critical to improving Nigeria’s digital sovereignty by ensuring that more locally-generated data stays within the country. The model also helps reduce operational costs for internet service providers while improving the performance of latency-sensitive services such as cloud computing, video conferencing, streaming platforms and AI-driven applications.
The move also sends a strong signal about Nigeria’s growing attractiveness as a destination for global digital infrastructure investment.
“This is a powerful statement about the growing global relevance of IXPN as a world-class interconnection platform,” the exchange said, adding that it looks forward to a “long, impactful, and mutually rewarding partnership” with CMI.
With CMI joining the more than 130 networks already connected to IXPN, including global technology players such as Google, Meta and Microsoft, Nigeria’s internet landscape is becoming increasingly interconnected and capacity-rich.
For internet users, the deeper interconnection ecosystem is expected to translate into faster access to digital services, improved network performance and more resilient internet connectivity.
Headquartered in Hong Kong, CMI operates extensive international telecommunications and Internet Data Centre (IDC) infrastructure across more than 37 countries and regions. Its portfolio spans voice, data, roaming, cloud computing and enterprise connectivity services.
The company recently activated additional resources on submarine cable systems serving Africa, a move aimed at strengthening international bandwidth capacity and supporting rising demand for digital services across the continent.
Nine people have been killed after gunmen opened fire on a passenger bus at Dungus, Kuru District, Jos South council area.
The police command in Plateau confirmed the attack in a statement by its spokesman, Alfred Alabo, on Monday.
The command said it received a distress report at about 7:45 p.m. on Sunday that terrorists operating on a motorcycle had attacked the bus.
According to the statement, the Toyota bus, with registration number BUU 621 ZL, was conveying passengers to Jos when the gunmen opened fire.
It said seven people were confirmed dead at the scene, while two others who sustained gunshot injuries later died in hospital. The police said the development brought the total number of fatalities from the attack to nine.
The police commissioner, Ayodeji Faniyan, immediately mobilised Mobile Police operatives, tactical teams, homicide detectives and forensic experts to the scene.
(NAN)
News
“Foreign Players Aren’t the Solution” — Mahbubat Salaudeen Challenges Olanrewaju’s Take After Rivers United’s CAF Exit
Writer and poet Mahbubat Salaudeen has challenged Rivers United assistant coach Yemi Olanrewaju’s argument that Nigerian football needs more foreign players to compete effectively at the continental and international levels.
Olanrewaju, speaking after Rivers United’s CAF Champions League elimination by FC San Pedro, had argued that foreign players are essential to the development of a competitive league.
“No league will survive without foreigners. The English Premier League didn’t do well until the Cantonás and the Thierry Henrys started coming in.”
However, Salaudeen believes bringing in foreign players is not the immediate solution to the challenges facing Nigerian football.
Sports247 reports, according to the writer, while foreign recruitment could potentially benefit the Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL) in the long term, the priority should currently be on exposing domestic clubs and players to a higher level of competition.
“Bringing in foreign players isn’t the solution Nigerian football needs. It may work, but that will be in the long term when the clubs have the money or are willing to spend,” Salaudeen argued.
She instead called for NPFL clubs to regularly play tougher opponents in international friendly matches, stressing that such exposure would help Nigerian players and teams become better prepared for continental competition.
Salaudeen pointed to the recent experience of Nigeria’s women’s U20 national team as an example of the importance of competing against technically superior opposition.
“The Nigeria women U20 national team faced academies/players they were technically better than and somehow we’re disappointed they lost two of their games in the group stage?” she questioned.
For Salaudeen, the problem goes beyond results. She believes Nigerian teams need to consistently test themselves against opponents who operate at a higher technical and tactical level before entering major international competitions.
“They will lose to England too because those girls are not technically prepared for the level of competition needed to excel against such opponents,” she added.
Her comments have reignited the debate over the best pathway for improving Nigerian football, with questions surrounding player development, competitive exposure, club investment and the role of foreign players in the NPFL.
While Olanrewaju sees quality foreign imports as part of the evolution of successful leagues, Salaudeen’s argument places greater emphasis on improving the competitive environment around Nigerian clubs and ensuring domestic players are regularly exposed to stronger opposition.
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