Pan African Towers (PAT), a leading Nigerian telecommunications infrastructure provider, has announced the appointment of Oladipo Badru as its acting Chief Executive Officer. Badru, who previously served as the company’s Chief Financial Officer, assumed his new role in November 2024, following the resignation of Azeez Amida after two and a half years as CEO.
Leadership Transition
PAT Chairman Adefolarin Ogunsanya praised Amida’s contributions to the company’s growth and expressed confidence in Badru’s leadership.
“Badru will work closely with the executive management team to ensure continuity, and we are confident in his leadership and commitment to our mission,” Ogunsanya said.
Badru’s appointment comes at a pivotal time as PAT seeks to expand its market presence and address Nigeria’s telecommunications infrastructure gap.
Pan African Towers in the Nigerian Telecom Market
PAT operates 764 active towers across Nigeria, serving over 1,200 tenants, including major mobile network operators (MNOs) and internet service providers (ISPs) like 9mobile, Spectranet, Smile Communications, and Bitflux.
The telecom tower market in Nigeria is highly competitive, dominated by players like:
- IHS Towers
- American Tower Corporation (ATC)
- Helios Towers
To strengthen its position, PAT plans to triple its tower footprint in the coming years, with a focus on addressing the infrastructure gap in Nigeria’s growing telecom industry.
New Funding to Fuel Growth
On November 27, PAT secured an undisclosed funding round from Development Partners International (DPI) and Verod Capital. The funds will support the company’s expansion strategy, including:
- Increasing Tower Footprint: Tripling its tower count to accommodate the growing demand for mobile and internet services.
- Acquisitions and Partnerships: Exploring opportunities to consolidate its presence in the market.
Looking Ahead
As Nigeria’s telecommunications industry continues to grow, the demand for reliable tower infrastructure is rising. With Oladipo Badru at the helm and fresh funding secured, PAT is well-positioned to compete with industry giants and play a significant role in bridging the infrastructure gap.
The new leadership marks a new chapter for PAT, as it strives to expand its offerings, attract more tenants, and cement its role in Nigeria’s rapidly evolving telecom ecosystem