Etisalat Nigeria has assured its customers of continuous and quality service despite the decision of Etisalat to terminated its management agreement with its Nigerian arm.
The decision of the Abu Dhabi-owned telecommunications networks resulted after its $1.7 billion loan talks collapsed.
Chief executive of Etisalat International, Hatem Dowidar said that the there was no need for the brand in Nigeria after the collapse of the loan talks.
Nigerian regulators intervened last week to save Etisalat Nigeria from collapse after lenders were calling for the probe and total takeover of the company.
However, Etisalat International announced on Monday that it was pulling out after all UAE shareholders of the company have exited and left the board and management of the Nigerian brand.
Dowidar said discussions were ongoing with Etisalat Nigeria to provide technical support, adding that it can use the brand for another three weeks before phasing it out.
But reacting to the development, Emerging Markets Telecommunication Services Ltd. EMTS, trading as Etisalat Nigeria, said it would consolidate on its Nigerian identity in spite of Etisalat Group’s withdrawal from the Nigerian market.
In a statement by Ibrahim Dikko, EMTS Vice President Regulatory, and Corporate Affairs said the company has a valid and subsisting agreement with the Etisalat Group, which entitles EMTS to use the Etisalat brand notwithstanding the recent changes within the Company.
“Indeed, discussions are ongoing between EMTS and Etisalat Group pertaining to the continued use of the brand, and EMTS will issue a formal statement once discussions are concluded,” the statement said.
“The final outcome on the use of the brand in no way affects the operations of the business as our full range of services remain available to our customers,” he said.
Mr. Dikko explained that EMTS launched in Nigeria in 2008 with “0809ja” to affirm the “Nigerianness” of its origin and sphere of influence.
“In our 9 years of operation,” he explained further, “we have remained a prime driver and avid supporter of the Nigerian spirit of excellence, and we will continue to stay true to our “Naijacentric identity”.
EMTS argued that the brand is here to stay, adding that it would continue to build Nigerian businesses and empower Nigerians with a focus on the youth.
“Nigeria remains the soul of EMTS’ business and we have made the brand alluring to our teeming subscribers who see a piece of the spirit and character of Nigeria in everything we do.
“EMTS is here to stay and we wish to assure our esteemed customers that our core values of youthfulness, customer-centricity, and innovation will remain the pillars on which we operate. We thank our esteemed customers for their abiding faith in us,” the statement concluded.