Bashir: Man behind Mafab Communications, 5G license winner

Until the bidding process for the 3.5GHz Spectrum, popularly known as 5G began a few weeks ago, not many Nigerians could answer questions on him. That has changed. The name of Dr Musbahu M. Bashir and that of his company, are now boldly etched on the Nigerian telecommunication industry. His company, Mafab Communications Limited, has […]

Until the bidding process for the 3.5GHz Spectrum, popularly known as 5G began a few weeks ago, not many Nigerians could answer questions on him.

That has changed. The name of Dr Musbahu M. Bashir and that of his company, are now boldly etched on the Nigerian telecommunication industry.

His company, Mafab Communications Limited, has just clinched one of the two slots of the 5G network auctioned by the Nigerian Communications Commission.

Mafab Communications Limited which has existed for only 16 months will pay a whopping $273m to acquire one of the slots of Nigeria’s 3.5 GHz Spectrum for the deployment of 5G.

MTN Nigeria Plc won the second slot. Winners to pay $273,600 each before February 24, 2022

Mafab Communications has an IDA (International Data Access) License from the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) to terminate traffic to all destinations worldwide.

Mafab’s registered office is at No. 8A Ibiyinka Olorunbo Close, Off Amodu Ojikutu Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.

This is according to the company’s CAC document seen by our reporter.

The CAC document revealed that the company is a new entrant in the telecommunication sector with the date of registration being July 8, 2020.

Dr Musbahu Mohammad Bashir is the Chairman of Althani Group which owns Mafab and he is the one with significant control.

Bashir is a board member of Jaiz Bank. He is also a Director in the following companies; Bento Drill Nigeria Limited, 1995, Offshore Technologies International Limited, 1995, and Resource Capital Group, 1995.

The businessman is also the Chairman of Cobalt International Services Limited, a pre-shipment Inspection Agent for dry goods and bulk liquid cargoes.

Dr Bashir received an undergraduate degree from American University and  worked with Hammad Development Facilities and Jadai Diversified Services.

His experience in general management, leadership and engineering spans over two decades.

He has attained several certifications from high-profile institutions like American University, London, Harvard Business School, USA.

Bashir’s Altani Group

Mafab Communications is a subsidiary of Altani Group incorporated to operate International Data Access Service.

The company provides an international gateway for interconnection of voice, video, and data service termination and also provides a platform for worldwide interconnectivity.

Another subsidiary under the Group is Malband Communications Ltd.

Malband undertakes ICT Consultancy services, e-learning research, data processing and has the NCC licence for Value Added Services.