This was revealed at a media roundtable held on Wednesday, February 5, 2026, days after Airtel Nigeria executives visited the Nxtra data centre site at Eko Atlantic. 

The facility, which Airtel says will have a capacity of 38 megawatts, is expected to be one of the largest in Nigeria when completed.

Speaking at the session, Airtel Nigeria’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dinesh Balsingh, said the company had increased the number of its network sites by close to 15% between December 2023 and now, with most of that growth happening in the last six months.

“We were a 15,000 site network. Now we’re about 17,000 sites,” Balsingh said. “And more investment on site building is going to come.”

He said the expansion has focused on rural communities, smaller towns and the outskirts of major cities, alongside capacity upgrades in urban areas where data use continues to increase.

According to Airtel, about 25% of its existing sites have already been upgraded with additional radio equipment to carry more data. The company said similar upgrades would continue over the next two years as demand grows.

Balsingh said Airtel had also added 10 megahertz of spectrum to its 4G network, increasing capacity by about 20%. He noted that most mobile data traffic in Nigeria still runs on 4G, even as the company accelerates its 5G rollout.

“In the last three months, we more than doubled our 5G sites,” he said, adding that Airtel plans to extend 5G coverage across about 25% of its network in the country’s top cities.

On rural connectivity, Airtel Nigeria said it is increasingly using satellite technology where fibre or microwave links are difficult to deploy. Harmanpreet Dhillon, chief technology officer of Airtel Nigeria, noted a recent deployment in Taraba State.

“It’s a remote town in Taraba, where we have connected the site,” Dhillon said. “Otherwise, laying a terrestrial network there, reaching there through fibre, was practically impossible.”

The telecom giant is already using Starlink satellite links to serve remote bank branches, oil facilities and security patrol locations, and has announced a direct-to-cell partnership that would allow satellite connectivity on mobile phones, subject to regulatory approval.

Ogo Ofomata, Airtel Business director said the company is focused on bringing connectivity to businesses in challenging locations, using every technology available. 

Stressing how Airtel Nigeria has solved challenges through fixed wireless access, she said, “Nobody needs to visit the site anymore, and the service runs 99.9% of the time,” she said. 

Satellite services, including Starlink, are helping to connect remote branches and support security patrols in the Niger Delta. According to Ofomata, these solutions are already impacting how businesses operate and improving lives in underserved areas.

On transmission infrastructure, the company revealed it is expanding its fibre footprint by about 25% and has completed nearly half of that work. 

Airtel Nigeria also announced a new internet traffic breakout point in the south of the country, using the 2Africa submarine cable landing in Akwa Ibom State.

“Traffic today that comes from the south and the north travels all the way to Lagos and breaks out,” Balsingh said. “So now you have that traffic go to the south and then break out.”

The additional breakout would improve resilience and reduce pressure on existing routes into Lagos.

Meanwhile, on the data and computing side, Airtel Nigeria operates a large private, fully virtualised data environment ahead of the Eko Atlantic data centre facility going live. 

Kemi Ariyo, director of IT at Airtel Nigeria, said the company currently runs significant computing and storage capacity in-house.

“We’ve got over 20,000 gigahertz of compute power,” Ariyo said. “We’ve got dedicated AI clusters and over 20 petabytes of data.”

She stressed that the infrastructure supports network automation, fraud detection and customer protection systems, including tools to block spam and malicious links.

Another highlight was the scale of Airtel Nigeria’s retail and distribution network. The company said its services are available through about 200,000 outlets nationwide, alongside roughly 4,000 exclusive stores and 250 flagship outlets.

“We want to ensure that every 100 metres that you go, you will see an Airtel outlet,” said Ismail Adeshina, director of Marketing at Airtel Nigeria.

On investment figures, Airtel plans to double its investments in Nigeria, both in the new data centre and beyond. Balsingh acknowledged ongoing challenges, including fibre cuts and power limitations, but said Airtel was working with regulators and government agencies to manage the risks.

“2026 will be another massive year of investments,” Balsingh said. “We are building scale, building resilience, building high capacity, and building the future.”

The company said it plans to hold further briefings later in the year to update the media on progress.

The commemoration, held at Airtel Nigeria’s Headquarters in Lagos, featured team-building sessions, volunteer spotlights, and personal testimonials showcasing the meaningful impact employees continue to make in their communities. The event also served as a rallying call, encouraging more staff to enrol in the EVP and join the expanding volunteer network.

Over the years, the EVP has become a cornerstone of Airtel Africa Foundation’s social investment strategy, empowering employees to champion local CSR projects focused on education, digital skills, environmental sustainability, and youth empowerment.

Volunteers have played central roles in initiatives such as the International Day of Education Essay Competition, Teacher-for-a-Day classroom engagements, beach clean-ups, market sensitisation campaigns on plastic waste reduction, and the Airtel-3MTT NextGen Fellowship for young Nigerians.

Reflecting on the celebration, Dinesh Balsingh, chief executive officer, Airtel Nigeria, said:

“International Volunteer Day reminds us that real impact begins with people who are willing to show up and serve. Today, we honour the incredible dedication of Airtel employees, whose commitment of time and talent drives our progress. Their generosity is the backbone of our work and the reason we continue to transform communities across Africa.”

In Nigeria, the EVP has delivered measurable impact through landmark interventions, including financial support to Lagos State’s COVID-19 response efforts. In 2025 alone, Airtel Nigeria volunteers contributed over 200 service hours, touching the lives of more than 100,000 beneficiaries nationwide.

Femi Adeniran, director, Corporate Communications & CSR, further highlighted the spirit behind the programme:

“Volunteering is at the heart of who we are. Behind every empowered learner, every restored environment, and every connected community is an individual who chose to make a difference. We remain committed to using technology, resources, and collective human effort to build a digitally inclusive, socially responsible, and sustainable Africa.”

International Volunteer Day offers a global moment to recognise volunteers whose often unseen contributions deliver long-term social impact. As participation in the EVP continues to grow, the Airtel Africa Foundation reaffirmed its commitment to expanding access to education, digital literacy, environmental stewardship, and economic opportunity for underserved communities across the continent.

For its work executing the vision of Airtel Africa Foundation locally, Airtel Nigeria received nominations in two highly competitive categories: Best Company in Environmental Stewardship and Best in Technology for Development.

Highlights of the nominations included Airtel’s long-standing commitment to digital inclusion through investments in programmes such as the Federal Government’s Three Million Technical Talents (3MTT) initiative.

The SERAS, now in its 19th year, is noted to be Africa’s most consistent platform for recognising excellence in corporate social responsibility and sustainability.

This year’s ceremony brought together top organisations committed to improving lives, protecting the environment, and supporting national development.

While acknowledging the progress of sustainability efforts in Africa, Ken Egbas, SERAS founder, applauded Airtel for championing sustainable development across the continent.

Egbas said,

“This year’s record number of entries once again demonstrates just how far the sustainability movement has advanced across Africa. Businesses, governments, and non-profits are no longer treating sustainability as a side initiative but as a core pillar of growth, competitiveness, and long-term legacy. With leading organisations such as Airtel committing to not only doing the work but also telling the stories, the future looks even more promising.”

Airtel Nigeria’s recognition at the 2025 SERAS reflects its leadership in technology-driven empowerment, with the 3MTT sponsorship, for example, resulting in the training of 25,000 young Nigerians across 46 Local Government Areas while the Reimagine Education partnership with UNICEF has connected 942,670 public school pupils in 1,268 schools to digital learning.

Reacting to the award, Dr Segun Ogunsanya, chairman, Airtel Africa Foundation, reiterated the organisation’s dedication to digital inclusion and national development.

Dr Ogunsanya said, “This award strengthens our resolve to keep driving meaningful change through innovation and improved access for Africans. Technology remains one of the most powerful tools for social and economic transformation, and we are proud to contribute to Nigeria’s progress by ensuring that more people, communities, and institutions can benefit from the opportunities it creates.”

Commenting on the win, Dinesh Balsingh, chief executive officer, Airtel Nigeria, expressed gratitude to the organisers and reaffirmed the company’s dedication to sustainability.

 “We are thankful to the organisers of the SERAS awards and accept this honour as a confirmation that our contributions in communities across Nigeria are making a notable impact.

To us at Airtel, sustainability is never just a box to tick; it is a long-term responsibility that we are pleased to assume,” he said.

Airtel Nigeria’s recognition at the 2025 SERAS extends its leadership in technology development and environmental stewardship.

The company continues to champion digital inclusion, youth empowerment, education, and green initiatives that support Nigeria’s long-term development goals.

This initiative will provide each recipient with a grant covering tuition, accommodation, study materials, and a stipend from the first year of study through the final year.

This financial aid removes economic barriers, empowering students to dedicate their focus to academic and technical achievement in technology.

Eligible courses of study include Computer Science, Information Technology, Data Science, Software Engineering, Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence, and other ICT-related disciplines.

Commenting on the initiative, Dr. Ogunsanya affirmed that the scholarships represent the Foundation’s continued commitment to breaking down barriers for young Africans.

“At Airtel Africa Foundation, our vision has always been to create opportunities where talent meets ambition. With this scholarship, we are investing in Nigeria’s future tech leaders, giving them the resources and confidence to thrive in an increasingly digital world,” he stated.

Beneficiaries are selected from 100-level students enrolled in approved programmes in participating public universities across the country.

These institutions include the University of Lagos (UNILAG), the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), and Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED).

Airtel Nigeria CEO, Dinesh Balsingh, noted:

“The prioritization of education as a pillar of our social investments becomes much stronger with these 100 new scholarships. They build on such other initiatives as our partnership with UNICEF on the Reimagine Education Programme, our Adopt-A-School project, and our 1 billion naira investment in the Three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) effort of the Federal Government. Ultimately, for us as an organisation, the best way to equip the future is to arm it with cutting-edge education.”

The undergraduate scholarship is a direct component of the Foundation’s four strategic pillars of Financial Inclusion, Education, Environmental Protection, and Digital Inclusion (FEED).

Mr Balsingh made this revelation at an exclusive roundtable with senior media executives in Lagos. The event, which was held at Radisson Hotel Ikeja, brought together business editors, brands and consumer editors, ICT editors, and capital market editors from legacy print and the digital press for an elaborate discussion on the company’s quality of service innovations.

The special roundtable provided a valuable opportunity for journalists to engage directly with Airtel Nigeria’s leadership to gain deeper insights into the strategies deployed by the organisation to address Nigeria’s growing telecom and technology ecosystem.

During the conversations, Mr Balsingh noted the exponential explosion of data usage across Nigerian cities, particularly Lagos, as rapid urbanisation, digitisation, and mobile-first lifestyles continue to drive bandwidth consumption at unprecedented rates.

“Cities like Lagos are growing at lightning speed, more people, more businesses, more devices. At Airtel, we recognise that data is the new oxygen. That’s why we’re investing heavily in 5G and fibre to build a smart, scalable network that can carry the weight of Nigeria’s digital future. This isn’t just about faster internet; it’s about enabling education, healthcare, commerce, and opportunity through reliable, high-capacity connectivity,” he said.

The event spotlighted several other advancements such as the Airtel Business Network as a Service (NaaS) solution to boost Nigerian enterprise; collaborations with Starlink and OneWeb to deepen data coverage in remote areas; self-service customer experience products; AI-enabled user data and privacy protections; and the ongoing cashback programmes offered on the Smartcash mobile app.

Other programmes highlighted by Mr Balsingh and his team include Airtel’s groundbreaking AI-powered Spam Alert Service, which currently flags about 30 million spam SMS messages monthly; the NXtra Data Centre, which is set to go live in 2026 as the largest data centre in Nigeria; and the scale of education support projects like the N1 billion investment in the federal government’s Three Million Technical Talents (3MTT) initiative, Adopt-a-School, and the Reimagine Education programme which currently benefits over 1.5 million Nigerian learners of which over 880,000 are public elementary school pupils across the 1450 Airtel/UNICEF schools nationwide.

“Airtel Nigeria is responding with cutting-edge solutions to power the future of digital connectivity in urban areas as well as hard-to-reach areas across the country,” Balsingh said.

With the introduction of 5G-ready technologies and aggressive fibre rollout in major urban areas, he stated, Airtel is ensuring that Nigerians are not left behind in the global digital economy, stating that Airtel’s evolving network infrastructure is designed to serve the needs of modern consumers who demand high-speed, uninterrupted access to online services

This roundtable forms part of Airtel Nigeria’s broader commitment to innovation, customer focus, and thought leadership within the telecom industry.

As Nigeria continues to embrace digital transformation, Airtel remains focused on delivering multilayered solutions that match the speed and ambition of Nigerians.

These career advancements, which were announced last week, are centred on employee performance, wellbeing, and inclusion.

These promotions are not just numbers; they are stories of excellence, dedication, and the company’s steadfast commitment to building a strong talent pipeline.

By championing internal mobility and career growth, Airtel continues to offer its people more than just jobs but a journey of growth.

Speaking on the significance of these employee strides, Dinesh Balsingh, Airtel Nigeria CEO, said:

“At Airtel Nigeria, we believe people are our greatest asset. That’s why we will continue to reward top performers, not just as a gesture, but as a principle. When you recognise excellence, you inspire more of it. Our vision is to build a culture where hard work is seen, growth is enabled, and every team member feels empowered to give their best. As we move forward, we remain committed to creating an environment where talent thrives and our people continue to grow with the business.”

Beyond professional development, Airtel Nigeria has taken a major step toward supporting the emotional and mental well-being of its workforce with the introduction of a comprehensive Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

This initiative provides employees and their families with access to professional counselling, including a dedicated helpline to support them through personal loss, stress, or other life challenges.

This human-first approach reflects the company’s recognition that every high-performing employee is first and foremost a whole person with dreams, families, and feelings.

Additionally, as part of its long-standing vision for an inclusive workplace, Airtel Nigeria has also made remarkable progress on gender diversity.

With women now representing 26.7% of the workforce and a clear path towards a 30% benchmark, the company’s investment in gender inclusion is intentional and data-driven.

Through initiatives like the Airtel Women Network, the company is empowering female professionals to lead, innovate, and inspire.

Building on the CEO’s remarks, Adebimpe Ayo-Elias, director of Human Resources and Administration at Airtel Nigeria, further emphasised the company’s commitment to human capital development and workplace inclusion.

“At Airtel, we know our people don’t leave their emotions at the door. That’s why our Employee Assistance Program is so important; it’s about creating a culture where everyone feels heard, supported, and safe, even in difficult moments. But our work doesn’t stop there. With every woman who rises and every young talent we nurture, we’re shaping a workplace that’s not only high-performing but truly inclusive, resilient, and reflective of the society we serve,” she said.

These achievements reflect Airtel Nigeria’s deeper commitment to prioritising its people by recognising and investing in their growth and well-being. Airtel is not only redefining telecoms but also helping shape the future of work in Nigeria.

Mobile fraud, like fake SMS messages and scams, is becoming more common and putting millions at risk of losing money or having their private details stolen.

Airtel’s new AI-powered Spam Alert Service offers a smart and timely way to fight back, marking a major step forward in protecting mobile users in Africa.

A brief look at mobile fraud and spam

Mobile fraud and spam are problems around the world, but they hit harder in places where mobile phone use is growing fast, and safety measures haven’t caught up.

A 2024 report from GSMA Mobile Economy shows that more than 20% of mobile users globally have experienced some kind of mobile fraud, with spam texts being one of the most common.

In Nigeria, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has noted a sharp rise in scam messages and fake calls, leading to yearly losses in the hundreds of millions of dollars.

These spam texts often include fake links, harmful ads, or tricks to steal personal details. Many people get caught without knowing, which can lead to stolen bank money, identity theft, or damaged devices.

Older spam blockers only work on certain phones or apps, leaving many people, especially those using basic phones, without protection.

Why Airtel’s AI Spam Alert Service stands out

Airtel, a top telecom company in Africa, has launched a new and free service called the AI Spam Alert Service. It’s the first of its kind in Africa and aims to protect mobile users from spam text messages as they come in.

What makes this service different is that it doesn’t read or check the actual message content. Instead, it uses advanced artificial intelligence to quickly study the sender’s behaviour using over 250 signs or patterns, all within a fraction of a second.

Some of those parameters, according to Airtel, includes:

• How frequently the sender changes SIM cards.
• The volume and frequency of messages sent by the message initiator to different recipients.
• The geographical spread of the recipient numbers, whether messages are targeted locally or dispersed nationwide.
• Whether the sender receives replies or only sends messages.
• A cross-reference of numbers previously reported for spam activity.

The AI completes this analysis in just 2 milliseconds, faster than the blink of an eye, allowing real-time alerts to subscribers as suspected spam messages arrive.

How Airtel’s Spam Alert Service improves mobile safety and trust

Airtel’s new AI-powered spam alert system is set to make a big difference in mobile security across Nigeria and the rest of Africa. Instead of depending on users to block spam themselves, the service works directly through the network to stop suspicious messages before they reach people’s phones.

This kind of technology helps users feel safer and more confident using mobile networks—especially as more people rely on their phones for banking and other money-related services.

A 2025 report by McKinsey Digital shows that many Africans worry about mobile security when using digital financial tools.

By reducing the risk of spam and fraud, Airtel is not only protecting its users but also helping to build a safer digital space where more people can take part in the growing mobile economy.

According to Airtel, within two months of its launch, the spam alert service system has identified 9,667,008 messages as potential spam.

Why this is a game changer

By building a service that is first-of-its-kind in Africa, Airtel is leading the way in offering spam alerts, powered by AI directly on its network, for over 150 million subscribers across the continent.

In addition, the service is quick, spotting suspicious sender activity in just milliseconds without reading users’ messages.

Finally, the service is free and requires no app downloads or extra setup. Airtel says the turns on automatically, making it easy for everyone to stay protected, even those using basic phones.

By sending signals to users before problems happen, Airtel boosts trust and encourages more people to safely use mobile money and other digital services.

Scammers are always finding new ways to trick consumers through the ubiquitous mobile phones, so increased demand for security improvements is, understandably, shifting to telecom companies.

Airtel’s AI Spam Alert Service is a strong and timely move toward better, smarter protection for users.

As more people start using the service, it should help cut down fraud, keep personal information safe, and make mobile use more enjoyable.

As African economies continue to grow more digital, users of telecom services will need more secure and reliable ways to communicate, and Airtel is leading the way towards that safe future.

Have you ever won a “N5 million giveaway” from a number you’ve never dialled? Or been warned that your BVN would be “blocked in 24 hours” unless you click a link? If you never fell for these, then congratulations, you’re a part of Nigeria’s club named, The National Association of Spam SMS Survivors.

That’s not a real club though, but seriously, in 2024 alone, fraud in Africa surged by 21%, with phishing and SMS scams responsible for nearly half (48%) of all incidents.

As revealed by the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS), the country’s financial sector lost over N52.26 billion to fraud, a 350% increase, over five years.

This tells us that mobile networks are no longer used as just channels of communication, they are becoming active fields for criminals.

This is why Airtel’s launch of a Spam Alert Service in March 2025 couldn’t have been better timed. It is a commendable effort that also signifies in mobile security across Africa. It is beyond merely reacting to fraud; it appears to be preventing it in real time.

The Scale of the Problem

Nigeria is ranked 7th globally for spam SMS. Research shows that 87% of mobile users in the country receive unsolicited messages, many of which are fraudulent.

Airtel itself reported that its internal analysis showed that 60% of its customers were receiving spam monthly.

These are not just annoying messages, they open the gates to fraud, asking users to click dangerous links or share sensitive data.

And while East Africa leads the continent with a 27% fraud rejection rate, West and Central Africa still struggle at 22%. The threat has gone beyond a telecoms issue, we can see it’s now an economic and societal one.

Airtel’s Intelligent Countermeasure

Airtel Africa, with over 150 million subscribers and operations in 14 countries, has responded with a network-level AI-powered Spam Alert Service.

While some members of the public have raised concerns over likely privacy breaches, Airtel has confirmed that the Artificial Intelligence in the backend of the Spam Alert Service does not read user messages. Instead, it analyses over 250 parameters including the frequency of the sender, message volume, link patterns, and geographical spread.

At its core, the service simply identifies and flags suspicious SMS messages in real time, labelling them as “Suspected SPAM” and alerting the recipient immediately.

It requires no app download, no user configuration, and is automatically activated for all Airtel users, smartphone or feature phone. It’s a simple, although not easy, solution to a thorny problem.

Using a proprietary dual-layer protection system, one at the network level and another at the IT systems level, Airtel AI Spam Alert Service is reported to process over 1.5 billion messages in under two milliseconds.

Real Time Results

Between it launch in Nigeria on March 13 and May 20, 2025, just two months, the Spam Alert Service flagged 9,667,008 suspicious messages, according to Airtel reporting. That number includes 528,080 sent by users on the Airtel network (on-net) and 9,138,928 sent by users from other networks (off-net).

This staggering number indicates both the scale of fraud attempts and the importance of cross-network security measures.

The Airtel system doesn’t just defend its own users, it monitors the messages entering the network from outside, offering an additional layer of safety for subscribers.

According to Dinesh Balsingh, CEO of Airtel Nigeria, this innovation reiterates the strength of the telco’s AI-driven infrastructure in tackling the threat of spam and scam messages.

“We understand that trust is the cornerstone of digital communication,” he stated, adding that, “This is why the AI is constantly learning, so as to keep pace with the changes in methods employed by spammers.”

Why This is a Game Changer

• Network-Level Protection: Unlike most solutions that depend on user-side apps, Airtel’s service operates within its core infrastructure; it is always on and scanning, making it harder for threats to go undetected.
• No User Action Required: There are no installations, updates, or settings for users to worry about. Every Airtel user, regardless of their phone type, gets protected by default.
• Real-Time Alerts: The AI flags spam SMS in milliseconds, giving users feedback on potentially harmful messages as the messages arrive.
• Scalable and Inclusive: Whether you’re using a basic feature phone in rural Tanzania or a smartphone in Lagos, you get the same level of protection, and this makes the service replicable in all of Airtel’s markets across Africa.

National Support and Expansion

Dr. Bosun Tijani, minister for Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, endorsed the solution, commending Airtel for aligning with national priorities. He stressed that the Airtel Spam Alert Service demonstrates how artificial intelligence can enhance online security and economic empowerment.

Similarly, Dr. Aminu Maida, EVC/CEO of the industry regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), noted the sector-wide value, pointing out that it boosts consumer trust and directly supports national telecom security goals.

Following its success in Nigeria, the service has now expanded to Tanzania and Kenya, with a rollout planned for all 14 countries where Airtel operates.

Feedback from early users has been overwhelmingly positive. Many have reported improved personal awareness to SMS messages.

According to Balsingh, the AI Spam Alert Service is not a one-off solution, it is embedded in Airtel’s focus on integrating intelligent systems across its offerings while improving user experience. With threats becoming more sophisticated, “so will our solutions,” he said.

The company’s Spam Alert Service is a necessary evolution in how we think about mobile security, proactive, intelligent, and inclusive. Mobile phones are lifelines to finance, communication, and commerce, and this service does more than pinpoint spam, it restores user confidence.

And across the current digital space, confidence is indeed everything.

The NCC, in addition to approving the new tariff, also mandated that operators meet all quality-of-service (QoS) benchmarks in providing service to customers.

Dinesh Balsingh, the CEO of Airtel Nigeria, has assured that Airtel remains committed to its track record of regulatory compliance and will dedicate itself to ensure this directive is met and also go beyond it through consistent investments in infrastructure and service delivery.

“Airtel takes quality of service very seriously,” Balsingh said. “This adjustment allows us to double down on investments in our network infrastructure to boost coverage, speed, and reliability. We are committed to ensuring compliance with the NCC’s requirements and will continue to exceed expectations through strategic investments.”

Airtel’s history of consistent investment in Nigeria’s telecommunications sector is a testament to its commitment to providing reliable services, said Balsingh.

Over the years, the company has upgraded and expanded its network infrastructure across both urban centers and underserved rural communities, enabling millions of Nigerians to access fast, dependable connections.

According to Balsingh, the tariff adjustment will provide the financial backing needed to accelerate these investments even further.

“Our focus remains on improving coverage, reducing network congestion, and providing seamless connectivity,” he stated. “This tariff adjustment ensures that we can expand to more locations, upgrade existing sites, and deliver even better service to our customers.”

In line with the NCC’s directive on meeting QoS benchmarks, Airtel is prioritizing the enhancement of its network’s reliability, voice quality, and data speed.

“We fully recognize the need to continuously meet and exceed regulatory standards,” Balsingh said. “We have built a reputation for delivering value, and we are taking every measure to ensure that our customers enjoy uninterrupted, high-quality services. Our goal is to empower businesses, students, and entrepreneurs with the tools they need to succeed in the digital age.”

While Airtel remains focused on network investments, Balsingh reassured that affordability will not be compromised.

“We understand that customers expect value, which is why we will continue to offer affordable plans while maintaining high service quality,” he said.

Airtel Nigeria’s commitment to consistent investment and its dedication to meeting the NCC’s QoS requirements position the company as a key driver of Nigeria’s connectivity future.

“Our investments are not just about meeting today’s needs,” Balsingh concluded. “We are building for the future—one where every Nigerian, no matter their location, has access to world-class telecommunications services.”

The initiative, held at Airtel’s adopted schools across Nigeria, showcased exceptional talent and creativity among primary school pupils, emphasizing the company’s commitment to inspiring the next generation.

The competition, which was open to pupils from Basic 4 to 6, focused on themes such as education, technology, and community development.

The aim was to enhance writing skills, foster critical thinking, and encourage self-expression among students.

After a rigorous selection process, the top participants from each school competed in the final round, guided and mentored by Airtel employees who served as judges and facilitators.

Speaking on the initiative, Dinesh Balsingh, Airtel Nigeria CEO, noted that,

“This essay competition is a testament to Airtel’s dedication to nurturing creativity and academic excellence among young learners. We aim to empower them to achieve their full potential and inspire positive change within their communities, by providing a platform for these students to share their ideas.”

The participating schools included Oremeji Primary School II, Ajegunle, Lagos; St John’s Primary School, Ijebu-Igbo, Ogun State; and Iyeru-Okin Primary School, Offa, Kwara State. Others were Community Primary School, Ezinihite Mbaise, Imo State; Presbyterian Primary School, Ediba, Cross River State; Yahaya Hamza Primary School, Zaria, Kaduna State; and Government Day Primary School, Pantami, Gombe State.

The final stage of the competition saw 15 top participants from each school present their essays before a panel of judges.

Ultimately, a winner and runner-up were selected from each school to make a total of 14 champions nationwide.

Prizes presented to the winners by Airtel included books, digital tablets, mathematical sets, writing instruments, among others.

This essay competition forms a vital part of Airtel Nigeria’s Adopt-a-School program, a flagship Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative focused on driving educational development in underserved communities.

Through this program, Airtel is committed to creating lasting value by equipping students with the skills and confidence needed for a brighter future.