HomeBiographyMusbahu Mohammad Bashir: The...

Musbahu Mohammad Bashir: The Quiet Billionaire Who Snatched Nigeria’s 5G deal from Airtel, other telecom giants

By Balogun Kamilu Lekan

Photo: Jaiz Bank

Alhaji Musbahu Mohammad Bashir is a billionaire who shies away from the public and keeps a very low profile. Ironically, his ambitions, aspirations and investments never kept a low profile.

Alhaji Musbahu, an indigene of Kano State, is the  Chairman of Althani Group, whose investments span banking, insurance, oil and gas, real estate, telecoms, maritime, and aviation.

Althani Group is a corporate group of companies in Nigeria with a collection of subsidiary businesses. Its 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.

Alhaji Musbahu chairs the Althani Group of Companies and Cobalt International Services Limited since 2004. He is also a board member in several other companies like Bento Drill Nigeria Limited, Offshore Technologies International Limited, Resource Capital Group and Jaiz Bank PLC.

Previously, he had worked with Hammad Development Facilities in 1987 and Jadai Diversified Services in 1989.

Photo: Unsplah

The Kano-born billionaire bags a degree from American University. He also holds certifications from London and Harvard Business School, USA.

Alhaji Musbahu shocked the telecommunication business giants in Nigeria when his company, Mafab Communications, outbid them to acquire the licence to operate the 5G network in Nigeria.

The company was incorporated in July 2020 and licensed by the NCC to run triple operations—interconnecting exchange, international data access, and value-added services. 

In 2021, Mafab Communications Limited stormed the telecommunication scene as an underdog to outbid telco giants in Nigeria for the 5G licence.

Photo: Unsplah

The auction sees the gigantic presence of top brands like Airtel, MTN, Glo and 9Mobile bidding for the license at the auction.

Photo: Unsplah

In another development, companies like 9Mobile and Glo didn’t meet the requirements to go on with the bid according to the NCC, giving Mafab a clear chance to progress.

The NCC conducted the 5G spectrum auction with a reserve price of $197.4 million for two lots of spectrum in the 3.5GHz band. 

Photo: Unsplah

The Bashir-led Mafab gained momentum surprisingly when Airtel opted out of the race at the 11th round when the bid rose to $275.9 million.

Mafab still stood firm in its bid.

In the final round of the bidding, Mafab and MTN won the bid and are required to pay $273.6m.

It is still surprising how Mafab came out of the wind to fight and win the battle for acquiring the fifth generation (5G) coverage in Nigeria.

The quiet face behind the revolution is Musbahu Mohammad Bashir, whose net worth is estimated to be about $350 million US dollars.

Despite all the wealth and growth in business, Musbahu has kept a completely low profile.


Disclaimer

The information in this article was curated from online sources. NewsWireNGR or its editorial team cannot independently verify all details.

Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for Live and Entertaining Updates.

Always visit NewsWireNGR for the latest Naija news and updated Naija breaking news.

NewsWireNGRLatest News in Nigeria

Send Us A Press Statement/News Tips on 9ja Happenings: [email protected].

Advertise With Us: [email protected]

Contact Us

LISTEN to NewsWireNGR PODCASTS

- A word from our sponsors -

spot_img

Most Popular

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

More from Author

Why Mobile Gaming Is Growing Faster Than Ever in Africa

Meta Title: Mobile Gaming In Africa – Why It's Growing Fast Meta Description: Mobile...

Toyin Akinniyi: Building blocks of the Future, education financing for sustainable outcomes

Opening Remarks by Ms. Toyin Akinniyi, Regional Portfolio Director, Luminate at...

Cheta Nwanze: The acquittal of Nigeria’s former petroleum minister Diezani Alison-Madueke

Cheta Nwanze The acquittal of Nigeria’s former petroleum minister Diezani Alison-Madueke at...

Lazarus Angbazo: Building Nigeria’s Infrastructure Economy

BUILDING NIGERIA'S INFRASTRUCTURE ECONOMY Mobilizing Private Capital to Build the Foundation of...

- A word from our sponsors -

spot_img

Read Now

Why Mobile Gaming Is Growing Faster Than Ever in Africa

Meta Title: Mobile Gaming In Africa – Why It's Growing Fast Meta Description: Mobile gaming in Africa is growing faster than any other digital sector: affordable smartphones, mobile payments, local content and what the data shows for 2026. Why Mobile Gaming Is Growing Faster Than Ever in Africa Few industries are expanding...

Toyin Akinniyi: Building blocks of the Future, education financing for sustainable outcomes

Opening Remarks by Ms. Toyin Akinniyi, Regional Portfolio Director, Luminate at the Bold Action Session on Education: "Building Blocks of the Future: Education Financing for Sustainable Outcomes"  (A Day Zero event of the 2026 Africa Social Impact Summit) on 21 July 2026. Protocols. Good morning distinguished guests, the board and CEO...

Cheta Nwanze: The acquittal of Nigeria’s former petroleum minister Diezani Alison-Madueke

Cheta Nwanze The acquittal of Nigeria’s former petroleum minister Diezani Alison-Madueke at Southwark Crown Court, London, on 17 June 2026 has brought up an uncomfortable question that has long shadowed international anti-corruption efforts: is justice truly universal, or is it reserved for the powerless? After a nearly six-month trial...

Lazarus Angbazo: Building Nigeria’s Infrastructure Economy

BUILDING NIGERIA'S INFRASTRUCTURE ECONOMY Mobilizing Private Capital to Build the Foundation of National Prosperity Keynote Address by Dr. Lazarus AngbazoChief Executive Officer, InfraCorpNACCIMA Infrastructure Conference (INFRACON) — July 14, 2026 Your Excellencies, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen. Please permit me to stand on established protocol. Let me begin with a simple observation. Every...

Lazarus Angbazo: Beyond Roads and Power, Who Will Finance Human Capital Infrastructure for Africa’s Workforce?

By Lazarus Angbazo |  [email protected] Africa is entering one of the most ambitious periods of infrastructure and industrial investment in its history. Governments are expanding power generation, transport networks, ports, industrial parks, and digital infrastructure, while African private sector leaders are making unprecedented long-term commitments to manufacturing and industrial...

Residents: Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a Self Storage Facility in Philadelphia

Finding the ideal self-storage unit can be challenging, especially in Philadelphia, where options abound. Many residents seek facilities that not only safeguard their belongings but also provide value and convenience. In this article, you'll learn the key factors to consider when selecting a self-storage facility in the...

“No Victor, No Vanquished” — Angbazo calls for unity after Nasarawa ADC Governorship Primary win

LAFIA — Retired General Nuhu Angbazo has emerged victorious from the Africa Democratic Congress, ADC, governorship primaries in Nasarawa State, calling on all party faithful to sheathe their swords and rally behind a common vision for the state's development. In a press statement issued shortly after his victory...

Lazarus Angbazo: The Countries that will lead the AI Economy are being decided right Now — By Their PowerGrids

Nigeria has enough installed generation to power a mid-sized country. The grid delivers less than half of it. Around the world, the race to build AI-ready power infrastructure is already underway — and the decisions African governments and investors make in the next eighteen months will determine...

Cheta Nwanze: Failed visa Marriages

by Cheta Nwanze The 1990 film Green Card told a relatively innocent story: a French immigrant and an American woman enter a marriage of convenience so he can stay in the US. They barely know each other. They hope never to see each other again after the deal...

Digital Marketing for Attorneys

In the competitive landscape of legal services, personal injury and medical malpractice attorneys are finding themselves overshadowed by competitors who dominate online visibility. The root of this issue lies in the digital presence that many firms lack. While traditional word-of-mouth referrals still hold value, the digital age...

Lazarus Angbazo: The global power industry is leaving Africa behind

 Dr. Lazarus AngbazoThe nascent AI revolution is not just driving electricity consumption and massive demand for additional capacity—it is reshaping how power is built, maintained, and delivered. For Africa, the real risk is no longer just insufficient capacity—it is also losing control and ability to manage the capacity it...

Bunmi Onabanjo-Kuku: The first thing you feel when you land in Nigeria

By Bunmi Onabanjo-Kuku The first thing you feel when you land in a country is not its culture, not its cuisine, not its people. It is its airport. That threshold, the space between the jet bridge and the city beyond, tells you everything a nation believes about itself...