The operators, under the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), said much of the money currently funding network expansion and infrastructure development comes from domestic financing, reinvested earnings and other funding channels that are not fully captured by the National Bureau of Statistics’ capital importation framework.

The reaction follows the release of the NBS Capital Importation Report for the first quarter of 2026, which showed that foreign capital inflows into telecommunications dropped from $80.78 million a year earlier to $7.24 million.

According to the report, telecoms accounted for just 0.07% of the $10.37 billion that entered the Nigerian economy during the quarter.

ALTON said the figure presents only part of the investment picture.

“…this metric appears to capture only a portion of the total capital actively deployed within the sector.

“Our industry’s substantial Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) figures suggest that current investment derives from domestic capital sources, reinvested operational earnings – financial mechanisms that may not be fully reflected in conventional foreign capital importation metrics,” the association said.

The group noted that mobile network operators, tower companies and other telecom firms invested about N2.13 trillion in capital projects in 2025. It added that planned capital expenditure for 2026 currently stands at N1.86 trillion.

According to ALTON, the funds are being directed towards network expansion, infrastructure upgrades, technology improvements and measures aimed at strengthening operational resilience.

The association argued that the wide gap between reported foreign inflows and actual spending within the industry points to shortcomings in the current method used to track investments.

To address this, it called for collaboration between the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the National Bureau of Statistics and the Central Bank of Nigeria to develop a comprehensive framework for measuring investment in the telecom sector.

“To ensure Nigeria’s telecommunications sector investment profile is accurately represented, ALTON respectfully proposes a collaborative engagement among the Nigerian Communications Commission, the National Bureau of Statistics, and the Central Bank of Nigeria to develop a more inclusive and comprehensive investment-tracking framework,” the association stated.

Despite pressure from inflation, high costs of operations and foreign exchange challenges, ALTON said operators have always invested heavily to maintain service quality and expand connectivity across the country.

The association also credited the Federal Government’s approval of a 50% tariff increase in 2025 with improving operators’ ability to reinvest in their networks.

“The timely intervention enabled operators to transition from financial distress to a sustainable, growth-focused model characterised by significant capital reinvestment,” it said.

While telecom operators questioned the reported investment figure, the NBS data showed that foreign investors significantly increased their exposure to Nigeria during the quarter.

Total capital importation rose to $10.37 billion in Q1 2026, representing an 83.8% increase from $5.64 billion recorded in the same period last year. Compared with the previous quarter, inflows climbed by nearly 61%.

However, most of the money flowed into short-term financial assets rather than long-term productive investments.

Portfolio investments accounted for $9.86 billion, or about 95% of total inflows, while foreign direct investment stood at just $135 million. Other investments, including loans and trade credits, contributed $374.5 million.

The banking sector attracted the largest share of foreign capital, receiving $7.55 billion, followed by the financing sector with $2.43 billion. Manufacturing drew $152.3 million, while telecommunications received $7.24 million.

The post Telecom Operators Challenge NBS Data Showing 91% Drop in Foreign Investment appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

Driven by a directive from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) following a clean billing audit, the goal is to show users exactly how background app activities, automatic updates, and video streaming drain their balances as data consumption across the country skyrockets.

Operators have already started sending customers daily reports showing how much data they used the previous day.

An official at one of the telecom companies in Nigeria said the data depletion issue has become a major concern across the industry.

“An average subscriber believes their service provider steals their data once their data is exhausted before time or depletes faster than they expected, which is not true.

“Over the years, we have tried to enlighten the subscribers on factors that could lead to their data being depleted fast, which include smartphone functionality, among others.

“And now, we are looking at tools that could show the subscribers not just what they have used, but also how they have used it to further promote transparency,” the source said.

He added that operators are also stepping up public awareness campaigns to help subscribers understand why data may finish faster than expected.

The renewed drive for transparency comes as data usage across Nigeria gets more expensive.

Nigerians consumed more than four billion gigabytes of data in the first quarter of 2026, driven by heavy use of video streaming platforms, social media, fintech services and remote work tools.

That growth has also increased pressure on telecom infrastructure, with networks in many parts of the country now struggling during peak hours, leaving subscribers with slower internet speeds and unstable connections.

Many users often interpret those issues as abnormal data depletion.

Telecom operators are also dealing with worsening infrastructure problems. Industry data showed there were 19,384 fibre cuts in 2025, while another 5,934 incidents were recorded in the first quarter of 2026 alone.

At the same time, only about 25% of planned 4G expansion projects for 2026 have been completed, leaving networks overstretched as internet demand grows.

In December 2024, the NCC said it carried out a billing audit across major mobile networks after repeated complaints from subscribers. According to the regulator, the audit did not uncover any major issue linked to unfair data deductions.

The Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Dr Aminu Maida, said the exercise was completed in the third quarter of 2024 using independent auditors.

“We had a hypothesis that it isn’t true that there is a data depletion issue in the industry. It could be perception.

“So the first thing we did was that we immediately conducted a billing audit on the systems of the major MNOs, using reputable auditors. That exercise was completed in Q3 of this year (2024) and surprisingly, we didn’t find any major issues,” he said.

The NCC has repeatedly warned that several smartphone features and apps consume data without users actively using them. According to the commission, background app activity, cloud syncing, automatic updates and location services are some of the biggest causes of unexpected data usage.

The regulator advised subscribers to monitor their usage regularly, turn off background data access for selected apps and disable automatic updates where necessary.

It also recommended using Wi-Fi whenever possible and installing ad blockers to reduce unwanted data consumption from online advertisements.

Meanwhile, Nigeria is reviewing its 26-year-old telecom policy as the government looks to address growing pressure on the sector.

Proposed reforms include stronger consumer protection rules, new tariff structures, wider 5G deployment and tougher measures to protect telecom infrastructure from vandalism and fibre cuts.

Authorities say the reforms are aimed at improving digital access, strengthening cybersecurity and encouraging long-term investment in the country’s telecom industry, ultimately reducing data depletion across Nigeria.

The post Nigerian Telcos to Launch Data Calculators to Curb Depletion Complaints appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

According to the latest market data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), broadband penetration reached a new peak by March 2026, reflecting a year-on-year increase compared to the same period in 2025.

Nigeria’s broadband penetration continued its upward trajectory in the first quarter of 2026, reflecting steady improvements in digital infrastructure, mobile connectivity, and data consumption patterns.

As of March 2026, broadband penetration reached 54.30%, up from 51.97% recorded in December 2025, which is a 2.32% in the first quarter 2026, signaling gradual but consistent growth beyond the 50% threshold.

In absolute terms, broadband subscriptions climbed to approximately 117,710,397, driven largely by mobile broadband adoption across GSM networks.

Key Drivers of Growth

The expansion of broadband penetration in Q1 2026 can be attributed to several factors, such as the mobile-first internet access nature of the country.

Over 99% of broadband connections in Nigeria are mobile-based, making smartphones the primary gateway to connectivity.

4G remains the leading technology, while 5G adoption is gradually increasing, while rapid urbanisation, especially in cities like Lagos, continues to push demand for high-speed connectivity.

Despite the progress, industry watchers believe there are lots of rooms for growth like reducing the persistent challenges of infrastructure deficits in rural areas, high cost of right-of-way charges, power supply constraints, and limited fibre backbone penetration.

Government interventions

Last month, Dr. Aminu Maida, the executive vice chairman NCC announced major initiatives to address quality of service (QoS) challenges by increasing the number of base stations in Nigeria.

Key Highlights on Base Station Expansion (2026):

He said the Commission is targeting the upgrade of 12,000 base stations in 2026 to improve network capacity, enhance data speeds, and transition legacy 2G/3G sites to 4G and 5G.

As of late April 2026, approximately 2,800 upgrades have already been completed, following a low-performing 2025 where only around 300 upgrades were recorded.

The NCC’s initiative aims to alleviate congestion caused by rapidly rising data consumption, which has made existing infrastructure inadequate.

CNI: 

On the issue of Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) protection, Maida said that NCC is collaborating with the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) to secure existing sites, addressing issues such as generator theft and securing Right of Way (RoW) for new installations.

On the issue of poor quality of service, the EVC stated that operators who fail to meet service benchmarks will face penalties, which will be used to compensate subscribers.

Outlook

Broadband penetration is expected to continue rising in 2026, but at a moderate pace, unless structural bottlenecks are addressed. Policy reforms, infrastructure investments, and spectrum efficiency will determine whether Nigeria can accelerate toward universal broadband access.

The post NCC: Broadband Penetration Records 2.32% Growth in Q1 2026 appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

The report, released under the Speedtest Awards banner, highlights MTN’s superior performance in download and upload speeds, cementing its leadership in mobile broadband innovation and 5G deployment.

Key Performance Highlights (Q2 2024)

5G Rollout Driving Speed Revolution

MTN Nigeria launched its 5G network commercially in September 2022, covering major cities such as Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, Kano, Owerri, and Maiduguri.

The company reportedly invested over $120 million in infrastructure upgrades, spectrum acquisition, and rollout, enabling it to deliver next-generation connectivity to millions of users.

According to Ookla, both Nigeria and Ghana have tripled their median download speeds in just two years, a clear reflection of network modernization and fiber expansion across the sub-region.

Industry Significance

The recognition underscores the role of private sector innovation in driving Africa’s digital transformation.

For consumers, the performance leap means smoother streaming, online gaming, and video calls.
For businesses, it enhances cloud adoption, fintech transactions, and remote operations, critical enablers for a digital economy.

The Road Ahead

As Nigeria’s telecom sector continues to evolve, all eyes are on how competition; Airtel and Mafab will respond to MTN’s dominance in the 5G race. Is there possibility of Glo and 9mobile joining the race too?

The industry regulator – Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and industry stakeholders are also expected to prioritize spectrum availability and rural broadband coverage to sustain this momentum.

Summary of the Report:

The post Ookla Ranks MTN Nigeria as the Fastest Network in West and Central Africa appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

ALTON says that multiple levies, bottlenecks in right-of-way approvals, and other unfriendly state policies are slowing expansion and could widen connectivity gaps between regions.

Speaking over the weekend, ALTON Chairman, Engineer Gbenga Adebayo, said the telecom industry is finally seeing strong investment flows after years of stagnation, but not every state may benefit.

“States that create hostile conditions for telecom operations risk being left behind. Where deployment is unwelcome, investments will move to more supportive neighbouring states, and citizens of unfriendly states will inevitably suffer limited connectivity,” Adebayo said.

He stressed that operators are already under enormous pressure, paying as many as 56 different taxes and charges. According to him, relief is expected from January 2026 when the Federal Government’s tax reform bills come into effect, cutting overlapping levies across federal, state, and local tiers. “We will not continue to solicit endlessly for cooperation,” Adebayo warned.

Fresh data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) shows over $1 billion in telecom infrastructure investments poured into the country this year alone. 

That confidence was restored after the regulator allowed mobile network operators to adjust tariffs by up to 50%, reversing almost a decade of frozen pricing.

This policy change has triggered aggressive expansion as operators are rolling out new base stations, extending fibre networks, upgrading existing sites, and introducing enhanced site security to counter vandalism. 

Adebayo described the current pace of deployment as the most ambitious since before the COVID-19 pandemic.

The reforms go beyond tariffs and taxation. The inauguration of the new NCC Board, chaired by Idris Olorunimbe, has been described as a stabilising factor for the industry. 

The rebranding of 9Mobile to T2 is also seen by stakeholders as a signal of renewed investor interest and strategic repositioning.

Industry players argue that these developments place Nigeria in a better position to close broadband gaps and expand access to digital services. But without cooperation at state level, experts warn, the benefits will remain unevenly distributed.

Behind the numbers, operators continue to burn through more than 40 million litres of diesel monthly, most of it imported, to keep networks running. This reality adds to operational costs and stresses why hostile state policies only worsen the financial strain.

The NCC is already working with the Office of the National Security Adviser to create region-specific rapid response systems to protect telecom infrastructure, but Adebayo urged the public to take responsibility as well. Cases of vandalism and stolen equipment, he warned, further undermine investments and slow deployment.

For ordinary Nigerians, unfriendly state policies could mean slower broadband rollout, fewer digital jobs, and reduced access to critical online services. On the other hand, states that actively support operators stand to benefit from expanded infrastructure, stronger investor confidence, and broader digital inclusion.

“The transformation we are witnessing in our sector has not been experienced in recent years… but for this to be sustainable, all stakeholders, especially state governments, must play their part. Telecoms is not just about calls and data, it is a driver of national economic stability and growth,” Adebayo concluded.

The post ALTON Warns States with Hostile Policies Risk Losing Out on $1bn Telecom Investment appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Aminu Maida, disclosed the figure during an interactive session with journalists in Lagos. 

He credited the capital inflow to a January policy that allowed mobile network operators (MNOs) to raise tariffs by up to 50%, a move that ended almost a decade of price stagnation.

“This act alone, has allowed investments to flow in. We will be revealing more specific figures in the coming weeks after verification, but we are talking about over a billion dollars’ worth of investment in 2025 alone,” Maida said.

Before the change, MNOs were locked into fixed pricing while other players in the telecom value chain, such as tower operators, could adjust their rates annually to account for inflation and currency depreciation. Maida said the imbalance eroded investor confidence and slowed network expansion, leaving service quality to deteriorate.

“This is an industry that requires continuous investment. The world is moving ahead, and if we do not create the right conditions, we will be left behind,” he warned.

The reform, which aligns with the 2000 Telecom Policy and the 2003 Communications Act, is already translating into tangible results. According to Maida, equipment that had not been purchased in years is now being ordered, with shipments arriving since June. Operators are actively rolling out upgrades and building new sites nationwide.

While the investment trend is positive, the sector faces operational challenges. Telecom operators consume more than 40 million litres of diesel each month, costing over $350 million annually, to keep base stations running.

“There is nothing you need to build or upgrade a network today in Nigeria that you can buy locally,” Maida noted, highlighting the industry’s total reliance on foreign exchange for network equipment, software, and hardware.

The NCC is also collaborating with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to deploy renewable energy solutions at telecom sites, reducing dependence on imported diesel and improving rural connectivity.

Infrastructure security is a priority. The NCC, working with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), is developing region-specific rapid response plans to address threats such as vandalism, fibre cuts, and generator theft.

Maida explained that strategies vary by location, coastal regions may need stronger community engagement, while high-risk zones require greater civil defence presence. The aim is to tackle both immediate security threats and structural issues that leave infrastructure exposed.

In addition, the regulator is tightening corporate governance standards for telecom operators. New requirements, set to take effect in the fourth quarter of 2025, include enhanced board oversight, stronger risk management frameworks, and regular compliance audits.

With Nigeria’s telecom sector currently valued at $9.52 billion and projected to more than double to $22.82 billion by 2029, the NCC believes these reforms will boost investments and keep the country competitive in the global digital economy.

The post NCC Pricing Reform Attracts Over $1 Billion Telecom Investment Surge appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

Among these metaphors, is the psychic prison metaphor. The key elements of the psychic prison metaphor include; Unconscious processes, groupthink, historical baggage, self-fulfilling prophecy, myths and metaphors.

Crucial points to note in the pyschic prison metaphor are; that organizations can be hindered by unconscious fears, desires and psychological defense mechanism; that past successes or traumas, can condition future behaviour and decision-making processes; that our belief systems could shape our actions, which may be progressive or retrogressive.

As a management staff of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) from 2000 – 2018. I observed how different leadership styles of the helmsmen of the organization at various times, shaped organizational growth and progress.

The leadership style the Chief Executive Officer of an organisation adopts, could make or destroy the organization. NCC has gone through several leaders, each contributing to the digital revolution in the country.

Prior to full telecommunication liberalisation in 2001, the Commission was led by, Eze (Engr) Cletus Ogbonna Iromantu, and Dr Emmanuel Nnamah respectively. However, not much was achieved under their leadership, as investors were not willing to invest in a country under the military administration.

In 2000, the then federal government, under President Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR,  set up a committee to develop a National Telecommunication Policy (NTP) that would herald a fully liberalised telecommunications sector.

Following the recommendations of the  National Telecommunications Policy (NTP) of 2000, the industry became fully liberalised in 2001.

President Olusegun Obasaanjo, GCFR, in recognition of the urgency of bulding a mordern telecommunication economy, constituted the Board of Commissioners of the Nigerian Communications Commission.

The pioneer board, had experienced and proven professionals and technocrats such as, Alhaji Ahmed Joda (Chairman), Engr. Ernest Ndukwe (Executive Vice Chairman/CEO), Engr. Olawale Ige (former Minister of Communications), Engr. Austine Otiji (former MD, NITEL) others were; Engr. Patrick Kentebe (retired NITEL GM), Engr. Shola Taylor (former Executive at INTELSAT), Engr. Isaiah Mohammed (former ED at NITEL), Engr Muktari Zimit, and Engr. Don Ude.

The mandate of the board was very clear, to create an enabling environment for urgent and transformative improvements of the country’s telecommunications sector.

The board was inaugurated on April 3, 2000, marking the beginning of the transformative era of telecommunications, thus laying the foundation for the digital revolution of  the country.

Ahmed Joda’s board and management, came up with key initiatives to drive the transformative process —Telecommunications Demand Study (TDS); Institutional Strengthening, assisted by Worldbank, USAID, Deloiite & Touche, Detecon Gmb of Germany, KPMG and a host of others as consultants.

The institutional strengthening program was to build capacity in core areas of telecommunications regulation, such as, the licensing framework, Cosumer affairs regulatory codes, spectrum planning, economic regulation, compliance monitoring & enforcement, and technical standards regulations etc.

The third initiative of the board was the conduct of a Digital Mobile License (DML) Auction to herald an era of a digitally-enabled economy.

The digital mobile license auction was acclaimed globally, as one of the most transparent digital mobile license auctions in the world.

A number of African countries, including South Africa, had tried spectrum license auctions during same period, which failed due to litigations from bidders. Spectrum International of UK, was the Commissions’ Consultant in the Spectrum licensing process.

The auction of the first three Digital Mobile Licenses (DMLs) occurred in January of 2001. The winners were; ECONET, MTN, and Communications Investment Limited (CIL) with each paying, $285 million for a 15-year operating license, with a 5-year exclusivity clause.

The fourth license was later awarded to NITEL (now MTEL) for the same amount. CIL later forefeited its license due to issues surrounding the payment of the auction amount.

In furtherance of the desire to build a world class regulator, the Commission embarked on series of board and management retreats, workshops, and training programs to craft the vision and mission of the organization, define core values, and build a corporate culture centered on  diligence, hardwork, selflessness, goal-driven and focused staff, with eyes on the ball.

There were several international trainings and partnerships with similar bodies such as; the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) of the US; United States Telecommunications Training Institute (USTTI), OFCOM in the UK, the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) among others. The exposure of the Commission’s staff to various specialised trainings, conferences, and the activities of the commissions’ staff in the various Working Groups at the ITU, led to the building of one of the most respected regulator in the world, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

The need to build an institution to train workers for the industry necesitated the establishment of the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI) Abuja, with campuses in Lagos, Kano, Yola, Asaba, and Enugu. That of Enugu never took off for reasons that are inexplicable. The ITU voted Nigeria for five years, the fastest growing telecommunications market in the world.

The ITU report could be traced to the dedication of the first NCC Board of Commissioners, the unflinching support, dedication, and sacrifice  of management and staff of the commission. All these virtues led to the building of one of most  respected regulator in the world.

It is on that note that stakeholders welcome the recent constitution of the board of NCC by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. There have been concerns, and worries amongst stakeholders about the declining quality of services and other regulatory challenges in the country.

Regulating an industry, which drives the digital economy without a board is a panacea for chaos and retrogression.

Now that a board has been constituted, it is important that the screening, confirmation and inauguration of the board, should be carried out expeditiously.

The Nigerian Communications Commission needs the intervention of the board to resolve a number of challenges currently plaguing the industry.

The telecommunications regulator has remained without a board for too long, the longest thus far since full liberalisation, and it has contributed to the myriad of challenges witnessed in the sector.

The Current board would have a lot of work to do, and should hit the ground running after Confirmation and inauguration.

The board should urgently address issues such as;  the amendment of Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003, which cannot effectively address emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and issues bordering on technology convergence.

Other matters include; the declining quality of services, which should be holistically examined, to ascertain the immidiate causes of the decline and address them; conduct a comprehensive staff audit to ensure that existing staff can effectively regulate the industry. Ascertain if staff are adequately motivated to deliver on their assignments.

The board should as a matter of urgency, examine the outstanding issues and challenges the service providers currently contend with, and ensure a quick resolution.

The board with the Management should urgently conduct a stakeholders summit to directly take notes of issues plaguing the industry, and address them expeditiously.

Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has a rich legacy of excellence, impartiality and professionalism. There is a need to ensure that the core values of the commission, the professional and excellent corporate culture, that is composed of a world-class human capital is maintained.

Recruitment into the commission should recognise competence, capacity, and cognate experience.  Inexperienced staff should be trained to be able to contribute to the progress of the organization.

The bottom-up appraoch of the commission in its regulatory processes should be sustained.

On a final note the board could draw from the expertise of erstwhile staff of the commission, with institutional  memory, expertise and experience to provide guidance and advise. Fortutiously, Hajia Mariam Bayi, the former Director of Human Capital and Infrastructure is on the new board.

It is hoped that new the board can benefit from her experience. The newly constituted board should provide the needed guidance to the Executive Vice-Chairman, Dr. Aminu Maida to move the industry forward. Time is not on the side of this board. The industry is in an emergency state, and urgent intervention is critical.

The Commission’s management should avoid the psychic prison syndrome by ensuring that historical baggage arising from past regulatory decisions, unconscious fears arising from possible impact of regulatory actions, past successes or failures, do not put the organization in a psychic prison. Previous successes could lead to complacency, and lack of innovative regulatory initiatives, thus hindering innovation and development.

The board and management should ensure that their belief systems do not shape the organizations regulatory actions in a retrogressive manner, but they should rather be progressive.

The vision of the pioneer board and management, the  mission and core values that has placed the country on global regulatory map should be sustained. I wish the new board success as they navigate through the challenging regulatory issues currently confronting the sector.

*Tony Ojobo, Ph.D. fimc, fcai. former Director of Public Affairs, Nigerian Communications Commission. Dr. Ojobo is a consultant in Corporate Communications, Strategic Mangement & Leadership Development. He can be reached via: tonyojobo@gmail.com

The post Nigerian Communications Commission in History – Avoiding the Psychic Prison Syndrome appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

From the moment those first SIM cards hit the market, a quiet revolution began. No, not in the dusty corridors of power or the high towers of industry, but in the hands of ordinary Nigerians.

The change was instant and irreversible. Suddenly, you could call anyone, anywhere, anytime. Businesses found new ways to connect, families stayed in touch across continents, and young people discovered the magic of “flashing.”

The magic started when then-President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration sanctioned the liberalisation of Nigeria’s telecoms sector and approved the licensing of digital mobile operators.

It was a bold, forward-looking policy decision that opened the door to private investment, broke the state monopoly, and set the stage for a competitive market.

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) conducted the 2001 landmark GSM auction that ushered in the mobile revolution that transformed the nation’s economic and social landscape.

But the real story of these 24 years goes far beyond the joy of mobile calls and texts. It’s about jobs, commerce, and capacity building on a scale on a humongous scale.

Let’s start with employment. Digital mobile telephony has created hundreds of thousands of direct jobs, from engineers and marketers to customer service agents and retail sales staff. These are the visible ones. I was privileged to spend almost nine exciting years at MTN Nigeria.

Then there are the millions of indirect jobs: tower riggers, recharge card sellers, mobile money agents, SIM registration officers, and, yes, even those who rent out umbrellas to street-side phone vendors.

Every city, every town, every village has felt this ripple effect. For many young Nigerians, that first job in a telco store or as a recharge card hawker was the gateway to bigger opportunities. It wasn’t just about earning money; it was about learning discipline, customer service, and the hustle mindset that fuels our economy.

The impact on the economy? Massive. Think of a sector, any sector, and I’ll show you how mobile telephony supercharged it. Agriculture? Farmers now contact buyers directly, eliminating the need for middlemen.

Banking? Mobile banking, USSD codes and fintechs with services like Moniepoint, OPay and PalmPay have turned phones into banks, driving financial inclusion for millions. Education? Students download resources and attend virtual classes.

Entertainment? Nollywood and Afrobeats exploded onto the global stage, riding on the back of mobile internet.

It’s no exaggeration to say that digital mobile telephony became the invisible infrastructure powering Nigeria’s growth.

Besides, mobiles supercharged SMEs, which make up over 90 per cent of Nigerian businesses. Research shows that businesses using mobile internet see productivity jumps of at least 10 per cent, growing twice as fast and exporting more.

Today, across Nigeria, millions of people are earning a living from phone-related hustles. From POS agents handling cashless transactions to content creators on TikTok, mobile is the ultimate job creator.

Perhaps one of the most underappreciated aspects of this revolution is the massive skill transfer it triggered.

In 2001, Nigeria had limited local expertise in telecoms engineering, network maintenance, or digital customer care. Today, the country boasts a growing army of telecoms professionals, many of whom now export their skills to other African countries and beyond.

Capacity building wasn’t limited to engineers. Entrepreneurs learned to run distribution networks. Marketers learned to sell intangibles.

Young people learned to code, build apps, and create mobile-first businesses. And it’s still ongoing, the sector keeps up-skilling people to keep pace with evolving technology.

Now, there is a segment that appears to operate below the radar. It doesn’t get enough attention. I’m talking of the parts and accessories market.

This is the huge informal sector that thrives in every corner of Nigeria. From chargers, earphones, and phone cases to replacement screens and batteries, the trade is endless.

The scale is mind-boggling. Think of Computer Village in Lagos, GSM Village in Abuja, and smaller clusters across every state.

These markets employ tens of thousands directly, and their supply chains support countless others, including importers, wholesalers, artisans who fix phones, and street vendors. It’s an economy within an economy, and its contribution is incalculable.

As we mark 24 years, it’s worth noting that the journey is far from over. The conversation has shifted from basic connectivity to high-speed internet, 5G rollouts, Internet of Things (IoT), and artificial intelligence. The opportunities are bigger, the stakes higher, and the potential limitless.

But let’s not forget, this all began with the simple power to make a call. That one breakthrough unleashed a chain of economic, social, and personal transformations that continue to shape Nigeria today.

At this point, both MTN Nigeria and Airtel Nigeria deserve commendation for their outstanding performance during this period.

So here’s to 24 years of digital mobile telephony in Nigeria, the ride that changed everything, and still promises more.

*Elvis Eromosele, a corporate communications professional and sustainability advocate, wrote via elviseroms@gmail.com.

The post Celebrating 24 Years of Telecom Transformation in Nigeria appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

Idris Olorunnimbe has been named Chairman of the NCC, while Dr Aminu Maida retains his position as Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, a role he was appointed to in October 2023 and confirmed by the Senate the following month. 

Olorunnimbe previously served on the board of the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), where he chaired the Stakeholder and Governance Committee and led youth employment and entrepreneurship initiatives.

The new NCC board members include Abraham Oshidami as Executive Commissioner, Technical Services; Rimini Makama as Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management; Hajia Maryam Bayi, former Director of Human Capital & Administration; Col Abdulwahab Lawal (Rtd); Senator Lekan Mustafa; Chris Okorie; and Princess Oforitsenere Emiko. The board secretary completes the line-up.

For the USPF, Dr Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, will serve as Chairman, with Olorunnimbe as Vice Chairman. 

Other members are Oshidami, Makama, Aliyu Edogi Aliyu (representing the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy), Joseph B. Faluyi (Ministry of Finance representative), Auwal Mohammed (Federal Ministry of Budget and National Planning representative), Uzoma Dozie, Peter Bankole, Abayomi Anthony Okanlawon, Gafar Oluwasegun Quadri, and the USPF Executive Secretary, Yomi Arowosafe.

The USPF, established by the Federal Government, is tasked with expanding access to information and communication technologies in rural, unserved, and underserved areas, aligning with Nigeria’s digital inclusion agenda.

The post Tinubu Names New NCC, USPF Board Members, Retains Maida as CEO appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

The approval, granted by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), will allow 9mobile to go live with this arrangement in June 2025. This will enable its continued existence in a market where its subscriber base has shrunk to 1.72%.

Back in August 2020, 9mobile and MTN tested a limited national roaming pilot for three months. It ended without a commercial rollout, leaving the agreement to gather dust while 9mobile continued to lose users. 

Fast forward to 2025, and the urgency has escalated. The operator’s market share has collapsed from 6.6% in 2020 to a historic low this April, and without this partnership, 9mobile would likely become irrelevant.

9mobile subscribers will now be able to make calls, send SMS, and access data through MTN’s infrastructure in areas where 9mobile’s network doesn’t exist or is unreliable, enabling the telco’s sustainability.

For 9mobile, it means coverage without the cost. Instead of building out its own infrastructure, which is capital-intensive, it can now plug directly into MTN’s far-reaching network. 

This puts the company in a position to stabilise, and possibly even expand, if it can market its services properly. A telecom executive told TechCabal, “The number three spot is still very much in play… if they bundle smartly, they can start to claw back users.”

That “number three spot” refers to the telecoms hierarchy, where Globacom, currently holding 11.9% share, has seen its subscriber base fall to 20.6 million. It’s a window of opportunity for 9mobile, though only if it can regain public trust.

MTN, on the other hand, isn’t doing this out of generosity. In exchange for hosting 9mobile, MTN gets partial access to 9mobile’s underutilised spectrum holdings in the 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, and 2100 MHz bands. 

These frequencies are not trivial assets. The 900 MHz band, for example, performs well over long distances and through thick walls, ideal for rural areas. The 1800 MHz and 2100 MHz bands, meanwhile, offer the high capacity needed in crowded cities.

With over 84 million subscribers, MTN will use the spectrum to ease congestion, improve quality of service, and maintain its competitive edge. But it won’t have free rein. Regulatory limitations will apply. “It’s a calculated bet for both operators,” the same telecom executive noted. “The NCC will likely impose restrictions to ensure fair use and prevent market distortions.”

Beyond the companies involved, this development fits into a wider agenda at the NCC. With the cost of infrastructure deployment rising and operators reluctant to invest in overlapping networks, the Commission has been pushing for greater infrastructure sharing. Agreements like this, national roaming and spectrum-sharing, are central to that.

While both 9mobile and MTN have not commented publicly, the importance of the approval is that it could entirely change market dynamics. It may also serve as a template for other struggling operators on how to stay afloat in a space where giants are topping.

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