The meeting, held in Wednesday, brought together senior executives from both organisations to discuss the future of Nigeria’s telecommunications industry, infrastructure development, service quality, and emerging opportunities within the country’s rapidly evolving digital economy.

The Executive Management and Staff of ntel include Afolabi Oladunjoye, Ikechi Jim Nnah, George Ifeonyemetalu, Chinedu Anochirionye, Ariyike Akinbobola LL.B, Nasirudeen Babalola, who were received by the hairman of the NCC, in a meeting centered on innovation, industry growth, and the future of connectivity in Nigeria.

Also present were the Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, Engr. Abraham Oshadami; the Board Secretary, GT Mohammed; alongside members of the Commission’s management and staff.

Discussions during the engagement focused on strengthening industry collaboration, expanding broadband access, improving connectivity infrastructure, and driving innovation capable of supporting Nigeria’s digital transformation ambitions.

Speaking during the meeting, Olorunnimbe emphasised the importance of sustained investment, service quality, and innovation in delivering value to Nigerian consumers.

He encouraged ntel to continue positioning itself as a strong Nigerian player within the highly competitive telecommunications sector.

“The opportunity ahead is significant for operators committed to quality, innovation, and long-term value creation,” he said, reiterating the Commission’s commitment to supporting operators while strengthening the broader telecommunications ecosystem.

The NCC chairman also acknowledged ntel’s ongoing investments and new initiatives aimed at expanding broadband connectivity and enhancing digital access across the country.

For ntel, the visit provided an opportunity to deepen engagement with the regulator while reaffirming its commitment to delivering transformative digital infrastructure and innovative connectivity solutions for businesses, institutions, Internet Service Providers (ISPs), and communities across Nigeria.

The company said discussions also highlighted the growing demand for reliable broadband services and the importance of introducing innovative products capable of expanding digital inclusion and supporting economic growth.

The engagement comes shortly after ntel announced the deployment of NOVA (Tarana), its next-generation Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) initiative designed to improve access to high-speed wireless connectivity nationwide.

According to the company, the project is expected to strengthen ntel’s role as a digital infrastructure provider by enabling partner ISPs, enterprises, and organisations to deliver broadband services using its network infrastructure.

Both parties expressed optimism about continued collaboration toward building a more connected and digitally empowered Nigeria.

Dr. Ojobo’s appointment signals GreenPlinth Africa’s intention to deepen its strategy, partnerships, and market-facing activities as climate action increasingly intersects with finance, regulation, and economic development across Africa.

From Telecoms Regulation to Climate Strategy

Dr. Ojobo spent years working within Nigeria’s telecommunications regulatory ecosystem, where he was involved in shaping policy frameworks, managing scarce national assets, and enabling market growth through regulation. He describes his move into climate as a continuation of systems thinking rather than a departure from his previous career path.

“After years working as a telecommunications regulator, driving policy, regulation, and market development, I have made an intentional transition into climate change and climate finance,” Dr. Ojobo said.

Drawing parallels between the two sectors, Dr. Ojobo noted that radio spectrum in telecommunications and carbon in the climate economy share similar characteristics: both are intangible, finite, measurable, and capable of unlocking economic value when properly governed.

“In telecoms, radio spectrum is an invisible, finite, and regulated asset, yet it drives enormous economic value. In the climate economy, carbon plays a similar role,” he explained.

According to Dr. Ojobo, this asset-driven and regulatory perspective shaped his work at the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and now informs his approach to climate strategy.

Climate Change as an Economic and Development Issue

Dr. Ojobo emphasised that climate change has evolved beyond an environmental concern into a broader developmental, economic, and competitiveness challenge, particularly for African economies.

“Climate change is no longer only an environmental issue. It is a developmental, economic, and competitiveness challenge, especially for Africa,” he said.

He added that solving the problem requires solutions that are not only ambitious, but also practical, scalable, and finance-ready, capable of attracting investment and delivering measurable outcomes.

GreenPlinth Africa’s Focus

At GreenPlinth Africa, Dr. Ojobo will lead business development efforts across the company’s climate and sustainability initiatives, including clean cooking solutions, nature-based projects, carbon finance, and corporate decarbonisation strategies.

The company positions itself at the intersection of climate action and finance, with a focus on translating sustainability goals into bankable projects that deliver environmental and economic value.

Dr. Ojobo said GreenPlinth’s approach aligns with his belief that climate ambition must be backed by systems, governance, and measurable impact.

“At GreenPlinth Africa, we are translating climate ambition into measurable outcomes,” he said.

Applying Systems Thinking to a New Sector

Dr. Ojobo views his move as applying experience from one highly regulated, asset-driven sector to another that is rapidly shaping global development priorities.

“This transition is not a departure, but a continuation, applying experience from one regulated, asset-driven sector to another that is shaping the future of global development,” he noted.

As Africa positions itself within global climate finance flows and sustainability frameworks, industry observers say leadership that combines regulatory insight with market development experience could prove critical in turning climate commitments into investable opportunities.

PAT aimed at catering to the telecommunication needs ranging from broadband, mobile telephony to other local value-added services in Africa.

A statement signed by its Board Chairman, Adefolarin Ogunsanya, reads:

“We are delighted to announce Osi Echezona Russell as the new Chief Executive Officer of PAT. We are confident in his strategic acumen, and we believe that his vision and commitment to excellence will be instrumental in guiding the Pan African Towers’ next phase of growth and transformation.”

Russell comes with vast experience having served as the Head of Network Deployment at Airtel Nigeria, Operations Director and Chief Technical Information Officer at MIC Tanzania, Chief Technology Officer roles at IPT PowerTech Nigeria, Rhino Niger Networks, and Biswal Nigeria.

He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Electronic Engineering and a Postgraduate Diploma in Data Science and Business Analytics.

“He takes over strategic and executive leadership of our company with notable professional accomplishments encompassing network expansion, technology innovation, operational excellence and executive leadership”.

“He will work closely with the Board of Directors and the executive management team to ensure continuity in our business operations and improved customer service delivery”, the TowerCo’s statement reads.

The award instituted by the Oyo State Government was presented to Dr Babalola, a chief lecturer who doubles as the Director of Centre for Data and Information Management at the Polytechnic, at the grand finale of the 2024 public service week held in Ibadan Civic Centre, Idi- Ape.

The event was presided over by Engineer Abiodun Oluseyi Makinde, the Oyo State Government.

Dr Babalola’s award falls within the awards in the Management cadre as instituted by the Oyo State Government.

Dr Taiwo Abideen Lasisi, the acting rector of the Institution congratulated the awardee for bringing honour to the Institution and noted that the award to Dr Babalola by the Oyo State Government is in recognition of her hard work and positive contributions to the development of The Polytechnic, Ibadan.

The Rector said that this recognition will motivate her to further put in her best to the service of the Institution.

He urged other Staff of the Institution to emulate this hardworking Staff, adding that such Staff’s contribution is being recorded somewhere and they will surely reap the benefits of their hardwork, even at higher level like Dr Mrs Babalola.

The recipient, Dr. Babalola thanked the State Governor, Engr. Makinde for bestowing the award on her and the Rector, Dr. Taiwo Lasisi, who she described as highly respected, for providing her the platform to showcase her innovation

In her words:

“This recognition means so much to me, and I want to extend my profound gratitude to the Oyo State Governor: His Excellency, Engr. ‘Seyi Makinde, the Oyo State Head of Service, Mrs. Olubunmi Oni, the 2024 Public Service Week and the 2023 Productivity/Merit Award committee, my esteemed boss and Rector.

“While I am proud to receive this award, I know it reflects the hard work and dedication of many of my senior & junior colleagues and our teaming students. I want to acknowledge my highly respected Rector, Dr. Taiwo Lasisi, and Prof Kazeem Adebiyi (our former Rector) for believing in me and giving me the platform to be found worthy of this noble award. I must equally acknowledge my incredible & highly dependable team at Centre for Data and Information Management and Open Distance and Flexible e-learning Center. All your support, innovative creativities, and collaboration made every challenge easier, and this success sweeter.

“I therefore dedicate this award to the management, the entire staff and students of The Polytechnic Ibadan, and my beloved children.

“This recognition humbles me and reminds me that every achievement belongs to God. It highlights the power of His guidance in promoting excellence and shaping the next generation of leaders. Noting it’s a call to perform even better and a call to greater service to my Fatherland”.

Dr. Babalola, a fellow of the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), was the former President of the Nigerian Women in Information Technology (NiWIIT).

Dr. Babalola with friends and Associates:

Techeconomy gathered that the screening process for the award was highly competitive, demonstrating the integrity of the recognition among the large pool of Oyo State Civil Servants.

Of course, international wars have moved from the ground borders to the territorial space, with the support of satellite technology hence African countries, which already have over 48 satellites in space, cannot afford to play in silos. There is urgent need to collaborate to grow local content in satellite technology and to protect the African territorial space.

The UN-affiliated regional centres in Morocco and Nigeria have trained several hundred Africans in these areas.

In addition, some African countries have procured small satellites, mostly through the help of academic or commercial institutions abroad. But, technology transfer must happen for the benefits to become more obvious.

Similarly, panelists at the just concluded Africa Tech Festival in South Africa agreed that ‘satellite technology should be viewed as complementary rather than competitive in addressing Africa’s demands’.

Tinuade Oguntuyi, the head of Network and Solutions, Information Connectivity Solutions Limited (ICSL) moderated the session that discussed “Satellite Redefined – Africa is forging its path into space”.

The panelists are:

• Abymbola Alale, Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) Limited
• Rakesh Kukreja, founder I-SAT group
• Abdallah Nassar, Chief Engineering and Network Officer (Orange Cameroun )
• Sophia Farrar, Lead Partnership GIGA (UNICEF and ITU initiative)

Important takeaways from the panel discussion as enumerated by Tinuade:

1. Every player in the space economy—operators, providers, regulators, and the government—should consider their role in the value chain as distinct yet collaborative

2. Adopting a communal consumption culture will reduce the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) and Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) for satellite communications.

3. Satellite technology should be viewed as complementary rather than competitive in addressing Africa’s demands

4. To facilitate the deployment and upkeep of satellite communications, the right laws and rules should exist

5. Satellite is crucial for connecting schools globally and in Africa.

6. All other communication platform, including fiber optics, microwave technology, and SIM, can be used to ensure that satellite deployment is successful.

7. Satellite will play a vital role where other forms of communication can’t, particularly in hard to reach communities.

8. Africa should intentionally focus on applicability and adaptation rather than copying and pasting solutions.

In her concluding remarks, Tinuade said, “True, LEO Satellite is here; let’s start approaching the adoption of cutting-edge technology through the prism of its commercial viability, applicability, and safety”.