Nigerians are fervently asking questions about the ownership of Mafab Communications after if fought the Nigeria’s 5G battle to the end, winning it alongside MTN.
After 11 rounds of bidding, the two operators, emerged winners of 100 MHz lots each in the 3.5GHz spectrum for the Fifth Generation (5G) network.
They are to pay $273.6 million between now and February 2022.
Airtel, the third finalist, had dropped out along the line.
While celebrating with both winners many are surprised at how far the ‘underdog’ Mafab has been able to go.
This led to questions with some wondering ,in online comments, whether it is a foreign company or a Nigerian outfit.
Some are even thinking it is owned by billionaire Aliko Dangote.
But they are quickly being corrected that the company is owned by a relatively quiet mogul, Dr Musbahu Muhammad Bashir, who is the the Chairman of Althani Group of Companies, and Cobalt International Services Limited since 2004.
He is also a Director in the following companies, Bento Drill Nigeria Limited 1995, Offshore Technologies International Limited 1995, and Resource Capital Group 1995. Cobalt International Services Limited is a pre-shipment Inspection Agent for dry goods and bulk liquid cargos.
They are currently inspection agents for oil and gas exports in the country. Alhaji Bashir also worked with Hammad Development Facilities in 1987 and Jadai Diversified Services in 1989.
