The event, attended by industry leaders, was a reflection on the commendable journey of the platform’s three-decade legacy in shaping the telecom sector of Nigeria and a medium to share the vision for the ATCON 30th anniversary coming up next year.

President Tony Izuagbe Emoekpere acknowledged the indispensable part ATCON has played in Nigeria’s telecom sector. He stated, “Our advocacy drive over the past three decades stands as a testament to our unwavering commitment to progress and innovation.” Emoekpere highlighted notable achievements, including the liberalisation of the Nigerian telecom sector and initiatives such as SIM Card Registration, Base Station Collocation, Mobile Number Portability and many more.

Speaking on the association’s social responsibility during challenging times like the COVID-19 pandemic, he expressed gratitude to past presidents and outlined plans for impactful corporate social responsibility projects in the future. Emoekpere emphasised the commitment to creating a lasting infrastructure and encouraged support for the association’s noble endeavours.

Engineer Titi Omo-Ettu, Past ATCON President, 2010-2012, reminiscing about ATCON’s inception, recounted being present when the association was first discussed. He commended the pioneers who led the registration of ATCON, emphasizing the importance of creating an executive committee to lead the association.

Another ATCON Past President, 2016-2020, Eng. Olusola Teniola shared insights into the evolution of technology, noting the advancements that preceded present-day innovations like ChatGPT. He praised the past leadership of ATCON and acknowledged the association’s role as a key player in enabling the digital economy. Teniola urged the current leadership to continue advocating for a conducive environment, emphasising the importance of addressing issues such as right-of-way and multiple taxation.

Ajibola Olude, ATCON Executive Secretary, reflected on his journey with ATCON, also acknowledging the contributions of past presidents including Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem and others. Olude concluded by commending the current president for his impeccable character and leadership style.

Vision for ATCON’s Proper 30th Anniversary Next Year

Speaking on the vision for ATCON’s 30th anniversary to be held next year, President Emoekpere pointed out the critical nature of communication, aiming to enhance the industry’s mission. He stated, “We seem to be looked upon as people who just collect airtime, people who SAP subscribers’ data. Communication is a fundamental human right, and anything that affects our ability to communicate impinges on our rights.”

The president highlighted the often-underestimated impact of damage to infrastructure, making it clear that communication services provided by the industry are fundamental across sectors. From banking to healthcare and agriculture, all industries rely on telecom services. Emoekpere stressed the need to drive home the point that communication is a fundamental right and a critical service.

To commemorate the achievements of the industry over the last 30 years, ATCON plans a series of events and activities. Emoekpere outlined its strategy, including Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, visits to showcase key companies, and acknowledgement of supportive state governments. Notably, the association plans to publish a tribute to major players in the industry, recognising their significant contributions.

One of the central themes for the ATCON 30th anniversary celebration is to spotlight the industry’s journey through various initiatives. ATCON intends to publish a special edition featuring “Telecom and Digital Economy Leaders in Nigeria” in collaboration with media partners. Additionally, a documentary will be produced to document the evolution of the industry, highlighting policies like Collocation and the National Broadband Plan.

Emoekpere spoke on the importance of celebrating the industry’s achievements and the individuals who have contributed. The association aims to host a standard industry event, an annual telecom conference that will be a three-day affair with speakers, exhibitions, and workshops. The goal is to make it a calendar event, attracting global attention to Nigeria’s communication market.

The president affirmed the need for collaboration with government agencies and partners to make the event a success. He called for a transformation where Nigeria becomes a destination for telecom conferences, urging partners to support the vision.

In conclusion, Emoekpere laid out the comprehensive vision for ATCON’s 30th Anniversary celebration, combining reflection on the industry’s past achievements with a forward-looking approach.

The association envisions beyond a celebration, a stimulation surrounding the telecom industry in Nigeria, solidifying its position as an indispensable service provider and contributor to the nation’s growth.

ATCON at 30 was sponsored by Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Open Access Data Centres (OADC), MainOne Cable, MTN Nigeria, Pan African Towers (PAT) Vezeti, Net Access System, MangoNet, IpNX, Cedarview Communications Limited and Bluechip.

At the unveiling held on Tuesday in Lagos, the organisers applauded Mr. Olude for his contributions to the industry, especially in his role in overseeing the day-to-day activities of ATCON; the industry body protecting the interest of all telecom players in the industry through advocacy.

Ajibola Olude has demonstrated enthusiasm and passion for the ICT industry which has left many wondering how a graduate of Economics became so immersed and well versed in telecommunications and technology to the point of driving advocacy issues that have set the industry on the path of growth.

Considering his managerial roles, which he has conducted with full sense of purpose and dexterity, Mr Olude can be aptly described as the engine room of ATCON.

He joined the Association as Assistant Manager, Marketing/Stakeholders Relations. In that capacity, he was in charge of Planning, Marketing and Organizing the Association’s events to/for both telecom companies and non-telecom companies.

Interestingly, despite his little exposure to the industry at that time, Mr. Ajibola Olude was able to develop topical issues to for discussions at the events at the association’s events and such discussions became the basis for most revolutionary policies in the industry.

He also designed strategies for the collection of membership dues and represent the Association at local and international events.

Mr. Olude within a short time honed his skills in the industry and became a voice to reckon with through his passionate advocacies for the telecoms industry.

With that, it didn’t come as a surprise when in 2009; he was elevated to the position of Executive Secretary of the Association.

In his nine years of managing the daily affairs of the ATCON secretariat, Mr Olude has initiated and successfully executed several projects for the benefit of the Association’s members and the industry at large.

To deepen the knowledge of stakeholders in latest developments, Mr Ajibola Oluude, had over the last five years supervised and executed International Workshop on IPv6 in collaboration with African Network Information Centre (AfriNIC) and over 200 indigenous Network Engineers from over 21 organizations including the academia participated yearly.

Aside the implementation of various directives of the National Executive Council of the Association, Mr Olude has successfully executed several projects for the professional body, and that include; the celebration of ATCON’s 21st Anniversary  which featured the Launch of ATCON Code of Ethics for Professional and Business Conduct, Inauguration of Telecoms Industry Advisory Council and Presentation of National Telecommunications Merit Awards and recognitions to over 40 outstanding individuals and organizations.

His proficiency in management of the association’s Secretariat has elevated ATCON to emerge as the foremost telecoms advocacy group in the country.

A graduate of Economics from Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, Mr Ajibola Olude has attended several international and local workshops and trainings.

​This phenomenon has led to the popularization of a Yoruba word known as ‘japa’ ​(pronounced as Jakpa)

A record number of people are relocating abroad from their home countries. Many of these leavers are those with very good jobs and enviable career prospects.

It has been projected that the japa syndrome may persist as there are little or no indicators that Nigeria’s leadership will make any significant headway in terms of positive transformation-at least for now.

Therefore, the industry players are worried that this phenomenon may lead to poor quality of services if not addressed as competent hands are resigning their positions in telecom companies to seek greener pastures abroad.

Mr. Ajibola Olude, According to the Executive Secretary of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) over 2,000 telecom experts left the country this year (alone) and many are still in the process of leaving.

He made the claim while speaking at the NITRA ICT Growth Conference 2.0 held in Lagos recently.

Although, he did not present data to back up the claim, Mr. Olude however said this could begin to impact the quality of the telecom networks if there are fewer competent hands to handle network issues.

In his words: “While we have been talking about the problems of multiple taxations and the high cost of Right of Way in the telecoms sector, a new challenge is coming up and that is the issue of brain drain in telecoms. Many competent hands are leaving the country for greener pasture abroad. In the course of this year alone, over 2,000 have left and many are still going to leave. We have to do something; the government has to do something in this regard to encourage Nigerians to stay.

In his contribution, Mr. Chris Uwaje, the Chairman of Mobile Software Solutions Limited, called on the government to put in place the right infrastructure that can keep young Nigerians engaged and give them hope for a brighter future in the country.

Uwaje who chaired the conference said, “The government is currently blind with regard to the digital brain and is only concerned with revenue generation. Those who are ‘japaing’–I would want Nigerians to look for another word for the exodus of its human capital because it sounds like a joke but this is a serious issue—are leaving because the government has failed to provide the social infrastructure they need to survive.

“If Nigeria had built telecommunications knowledge Parks and put thousands of youths there, many of them can be working for foreign companies from there; that is outsourcing. They don’t have to run out of the country to work for foreigners. They will be doing that here and earning in foreign currencies. We need the government to build these Parks to encourage our young ones to stay.”