The Alpha Beta Connection
Mafab Communications, a relatively unknown telecom player in the Nigerian market, which on Monday outplayed Airtel to clinch one of the two slots of the 3.5 Ghz spectrum license for roll out of 5G, may engage the services of a technical partner to build and operate its 5G service, according to competent industry sources.
There are also strong indications that All Progressive Congress National Leader and presidential aspirant, Asiwaju Tinubu and his Alpha Beta Company may have helped Mafab Communications to fulfill the conditions for qualifying for the bid process. Competent sources say that Alpha Beta may have facilitated the payment of the 10 % of $197.4 million, through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
It would not be news to many Nigerians that Tinubu would have a hand in Mafab bid to roll out a 5G network in Nigeria and the model of seeking a technical partner to help it roll out the network.
In 2001, Econet, which has experience in building telecom networks in Africa joined a team of Nigerian business men and state governors, among them Asiwaju Bola Tinubu of Lagos State, Mr James Ibori of Delta State, Akwa Ibom state, Oba Otudeko, chairman of First Bank, at the time, to secure a GSM license for $285 million. Econet brought its technical expertise while the Nigerian government officials and business men brought their financial might to form a partnership that built the Airtel network at inception.
eWorldNews gathered today, in Abuja, that Mafab, though relatively unknown may also follow that same business model. Sources say some deep pocket businessmen and politicians are behind Mafab, which outplayed Airtel Nigeria, and also tried to outdo MTN, to clinch the first spectrum slot in the 3.5Ghz spectrum license auction for the deployment of 5G in Nigeria that took place, in Abuja, yesterday.
Industry sources are fascinated at the speed and the compliance level Mafab exhibited in the process leading to the auction and its dexterity at the auction room.
eWorldnew sources claim the payment of 10 per cent of $197.4 million being deposit for qualification for the auction facilitated by Alpha Beta does not take away the fact that the Chairman of Mafab, Musbahu Muhammad Bashir, who himself supervised the bid process, with a formidable team besides him, has loads of cash to throw into the venture.
For instance Bashir serves as chairman on the board of his two companies — Althani Group of Companies and Cobalt International Services Limited, a pre-shipment inspection agent currently inspection agent for oil and gas exports in the country.
The business magnate is also a director at Bento Drill Nigeria Limited, Offshore Technologies International Limited, and Resource Capital Group.
At Jaiz bank, a Nigerian bank operating under Islamic banking principles and a non-interest bank, Bashir also serves as a member, board of directors.
He is the chairman, board of directors of Salam Takaful Insurance, a subsidiary of Althani group of companies, headquartered in Kano State.
The insurance firm was incorporated in 2016 — operating both family and general Takaful Insurance as well as retail Takaful line of business with a wide range of products.
Takaful is a sharia law-compliant insurance structure in which members agree to provide insurance for one another by contributing to a pool of funds that are used to recompense participants who suffer a loss.
Bashir worked with Hammad Development Facilities in 1987 and Jadai Diversified Services in 1989.
Bashir has vast experience of more than twenty years in general management, leadership, and engineering, according to details on the company’s website.
He has attained several certifications from high-profile institutions, including American University, London, and Harvard Business School, USA.
In a post, the Althani Group describes Bashir as undoubtedly a hardworking, resilient, and effective businessman with a strong personality.
Mafab Communications was incorporated on the 8th of July, 2020, and licensed by the NCC to provide and operate Local Interconnect and International carrier services.
The company operates under three licenses, including interconnecting exchange, international data access, and value-added services, providing cloud hosting or co-location services
Mafab is one of the technological subsidiaries of Althani Group, a business conglomerate chaired by Musbahu Muhammad Bashir, a business tycoon.
According to details on its website, “Althani group of companies is a corporate group of companies in Nigeria with a collection of subsidiary businesses.
“The group consists of a variety of companies with diverse objectives, cutting across several sectors including oil and gas, housing, construction, aviation, amongst others.”
The group’s subsidiaries include Eman Homes and Estate, Althani Investment, Salam Takaful Insurance, Malband Communications Limited, Holborn Oil and Gas international, Althani Oil and Gas Limited, Althani Shelters Limited, Pelican Air Services Limited, Cryogenic Industries Limited, Clearview Apartments, and Mafab Communications.
