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Tag: Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector

  • Digital Economy and Services Sector Remain Bright Spots for Nigeria — CPPE

    Digital Economy and Services Sector Remain Bright Spots for Nigeria — CPPE

    The Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE) has stated that Nigeria’s economy continues to demonstrate resilience despite a moderation in economic growth in the first quarter of 2026.

    In response to the Q1 2026 Gross Domestic Product (GDP) report released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the CPPE noted that the Nigerian economy recorded year-on-year GDP growth of 3.89 per cent in Q1 2026.

    According to the economic advocacy group, although the growth rate was slightly lower than the 4.06 per cent recorded in the fourth quarter of 2025, the performance reflects continued macroeconomic stabilisation, improved business confidence, and the resilience of key non-oil sectors.

    The CPPE explained that the moderation in growth should not be viewed negatively, stressing that the slower pace was expected following the gradual recovery already recorded in previous quarters.

    “The moderation relative to the preceding quarter is not unusual, as first-quarter economic activities are typically softer because of seasonal and business cycle factors. Overall, the economy remains on a gradual recovery path,” the CPPE stated.

    The organisation highlighted the strong performance of the services sector, which remained the principal driver of economic growth during the quarter. According to the CPPE, the sector contributed 57.73 per cent to GDP and expanded by 4.31 per cent year-on-year.

    It noted that the financial services, trade, entertainment, and construction subsectors were particularly strong performers, reinforcing the growing importance of digital and knowledge-driven economic activities in Nigeria’s broader economic structure.

    The CPPE further observed that the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector maintained impressive growth momentum during the quarter. The sector reportedly recorded an 11.25 per cent growth rate, underscoring the continued resilience of digital services despite prevailing macroeconomic pressures.

    According to the organisation, the strong performance of the ICT sector demonstrates the increasing role of technology and digital innovation in supporting economic expansion, productivity, and service delivery across sectors.

    The CPPE also pointed to the growing significance of the non-oil economy in Nigeria’s economic recovery trajectory. It stated that the trade sector emerged as the single largest contributor to GDP during the quarter, accounting for 17.89 per cent of total output.

    The organisation attributed the performance largely to the positive impact of improved exchange rate stability, better foreign exchange liquidity conditions, easing inflationary pressures, and recovering business confidence.

    It explained that the rebound in commercial activities and trade flows reflects improving market sentiment and gradual economic normalisation following earlier macroeconomic disruptions.

    While acknowledging existing economic challenges, the CPPE maintained that the latest GDP figures indicate that ongoing reforms and stabilisation measures are beginning to yield measurable results across critical sectors of the economy.

    The organisation reiterated the need for sustained policy consistency, investment-friendly reforms, infrastructure development, and support for productive sectors to consolidate the recovery momentum and drive inclusive economic growth.

    CPPE added that continued support for the services sector, digital economy, trade facilitation, and private sector productivity would remain critical to strengthening Nigeria’s long-term economic resilience and competitiveness.

  • Telecommunications and IT Companies Form the Next Frontier for Both Growth and Cybercrime across Africa

    Telecommunications and IT Companies Form the Next Frontier for Both Growth and Cybercrime across Africa

    There is both good news and bad news for telecommunications and IT companies across Africa. The positive news, according to global management consulting firm McKinsey, is that the trends shaping mobile, wireless and broadband communications across the continent indicate a strong long-term growth trajectory for the African information and communications technology (ICT) sector. The unsettling news is that threat actors have this vertical firmly in their sights and are ramping up cyberattacks accordingly.

    McKinsey clarifies that telecommunications companies across Africa, despite various inherent challenges such as regulatory complexities and infrastructure gaps, nonetheless have significant opportunities to achieve financial growth and profitability while boosting digital inclusion across the continent. Although this is excellent news for nations and individuals wanting to embrace the convenience of e-commerce and mobile money, as well as new growth avenues in key sectors such as agriculture, energy and healthcare, there are envious eyes on the prizes that this vibrant and economy-altering digital sector offers.

    According to NETSCOUT’s 2H2024 DDoS Threat Intelligent Report (TIR), which is its 14th issue, threat actors are increasingly targeting the rapidly evolving African ICT sector via distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks, with a significant majority of the top targeted sectors per country being computer and IT-related, or else telecommunications carriers. This is consistent with global trends (as will be seen in more detail below).

    DDoS attacks – which flood servers, applications or other network areas to render them unavailable and disrupt the availability of services – are frequently used to disrupt critical services, often for geopolitical reasons as well as to extort ransoms.

    “The IT and telecommunications sectors are crucial for significant economic and individual growth around the globe,” says Bryan Hamman, regional director for Africa at NETSCOUT. “These technologies have the power to connect businesses and individuals and are key in driving innovation across Africa.”

    ICT Arenas Dominate Top 10 Targeted Vertical Industries Globally and for the EMEA Region

    A breakdown of the top 10 global vertical targeted arenas is as follows:

    1.     Wired telecommunications carriers

    2.     Wireless telecommunications carriers (except satellite)

    3.     Computing infrastructure providers, data processing, web hosting and related services 

    4.     All other telecommunications  

    5.     Educational support services

    6.     Satellite telecommunications

    7.     Web search portals and all other information services

    8.     Other computer related services

    9.     Telecommunications resellers

    10.  Colleges, universities and professional schools

    “We can clearly see that the ICT space overall was an extraordinarily attractive target worldwide for DDoS threat actors over the second half of 2024,” clarifies Hamman, “and in addition, almost every category above showed an increase in the attack count for the second half of 2024 compared to the strikes recorded for the first six months of the year. The global attacks on the wired telecommunications carriers numbered over two million (2,123,675) for this recorded period, while the equivalent hits against wireless telecommunications carriers (except satellite) came in at just under one million (937,256).”  

    A rundown of the top 10 Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region vertical targeted arenas is as follows (noting the exact duplication of the top three targeted sectors reflecting for the EMEA region as for the global picture):

    1.     Wired telecommunications carriers

    2.     Wireless telecommunications carriers (except satellite)

    3.     Computing infrastructure providers, data processing, web hosting and related services 

    4.     Satellite telecommunications

    5.     All other telecommunications  

    6.     Other computer related services

    7.     Engineering services

    8.     Telecommunications resellers

    9.     All other miscellaneous ambulatory health care services

    10.  Commercial banking

    Says Hamman: “The statistical breakdowns outlined above for the wider EMEA region again show, quite clearly, the premium that is placed on the telco and broader technology industries by DDoS threat actors. As we will see when looking more closely into Africa itself, almost no countries are spared from strikes against their ICT industries.”

    Delving Deeper into Attacks within the African IT And Telco Space

    “When we scrutinise the statistics for the continent across the IT and telecommunications space, the NETSCOUT report shows that, for example, South Africa was the most targeted country for ‘attacks across computer services design systems’, with Liberia in West Africa coming in third (after Japan and before the United States),” outlines Hamman. 

    “And when looking at the top five targeted countries for hits on ‘other computer related services’, four out of the five countries under attack globally were African, with the United States being the regional outlier, in order of South Africa, Kenya, US, Mozambique and Zambia.”

    Below follows a round-up of African countries showing where the top targeted verticals fall into either the IT arena, or else are related to strikes against telecommunications providers. The top one or two verticals are outlined each time per country unless otherwise specified, and the link to the in-depth country overview from NETSCOUT is supplied for interest and further input.

    ·       Algeria: wired telecommunications carriers; all other telecommunications.

    ·       Angola: wired telecommunications carriers; computing infrastructure providers, data processing, web hosting and related services.

    ·       Botswana: wireless telecommunications carriers (except satellite).

    ·       Côte d’Ivoire: wired telecommunications carriers (except satellite).

    ·       DRC: computing infrastructure providers, data processing, web hosting and related services; satellite telecommunications.

    ·       Ethiopia: wireless telecommunications carriers (except satellite); telecommunications resellers.

    ·       Ghana: when looking at Ghana, we seeweb search portals and all other information services and wired telecommunications carriers in first and second place, with computing infrastructure providers, data processing, web hosting and related services in fourth position.

    ·       Kenya: In Kenya, the top three verticals targeted are as follows:other computer related services; wireless telecommunications carriers (except satellite); wired telecommunications carriers, with all other telecommunications in fifth place and computing infrastructure providers, data processing, web hosting and related servicesin ninth position.

    ·       Liberia: computer systems design; wired telecommunications carriers.

    ·       Libya: web search portals and all other information services; wired telecommunications carriers.

    ·       Mali: web search portals and all other information services; wired telecommunications carriers.

    ·       Mauritius: wireless telecommunications carriers (except satellite); wired telecommunications carriers.

    ·       Morocco: wireless telecommunications carriers (except satellite); wired telecommunications carriers are in first and second place, with computing infrastructure providers, data processing, web hosting and related services; and web search portals and all other information services as the fourth and fifth most targeted verticals.

    ·       Mozambique: other computer related services; satellite telecommunications.

    ·       Namibia: other computer related services was the second most targeted vertical; and wireless telecommunications carriers (except satellite) was third on the list.

    ·       Nigeria: telecommunications resellers; computing infrastructure providers, data processing, web hosting and related services in first and second place, with wired telecommunications carriers in fourth position.

    ·       Republic of the Congo: telecommunications resellers.

    ·       Rwanda: other computer related services.

    ·       Seychelles: for the Seychelles, its top five targeted verticals are all in the ICT space, in the following order: computing infrastructure providers, data processing, web hosting and related services; wired telecommunications carriers; software publishers; web search portals and all other information services; and wireless telecommunications carriers (except satellite).

    ·       South Africa: As with the Seychelles, South Africa’s top five targeted verticals are also in the ICT space, with some additional noteworthy ICT targeted verticals also in the top 10, as follows: other computer related services in first place; computing infrastructure providers, data processing, web hosting and related services in third position, computer systems design ranked fourth; wired telecommunications carriers in fifth place; electronic computer manufacturing in sixth spot; wireless telecommunications carriers (except satellite) in seventh place; and all other telecommunications in ninth position. 

    ·       Tunisia: wired telecommunications carriers is followed by web search portals and all other information services, with wireless telecommunications carriers (except satellite) in third position. 

    ·       Uganda: Again there is a heavy ICT emphasis on Uganda’s top four targeted DDoS attacks, withwireless telecommunications carriers (except satellite) listed first, followed by computing infrastructure providers; wired telecommunications carriers; and all other telecommunications in fourth place. 

    ·       Zambia: other computer related services.

    ·       Zimbabwe: all other telecommunications.

    “Telecommunications companies are prime targets due to the significant subscriber data that they possess, both personal and financial,” confirms Hamman. “ICT organisations in general are also an important part of critical infrastructure for both businesses and individuals, and disruption or downtime can have massive implications, which speaks to geopolitical strikes and also enables ransomware operators to apply more pressure.”

    He adds: “Many telecommunications companies are now also involved with mobile payments and fintech partnerships, which means that they are no longer operating purely as connectivity providers but are also playing a key role within the financial services landscape. The accompanying data that they are privy to makes them even more desirable as a DDoS target. 

    “In answer, organisations and sovereign nations cannot be complacent but must look to their security providers for assistance and protection, in order to keep these vital cogs in the digital landscape continuing to turn smoothly and optimally for the greater good and to enable economic growth,” Hamman concludes.

    NETSCOUT’s DDoS proactive protection strategies include comprehensive incident response plans, real-time traffic monitoring and intelligent threat mitigation, as well as access to the NETSCOUT Cyber Threat Horizon for real-time global attack statistics.

  • How Modular Data Centres Can Support Nigeria’s ICT Growth

    How Modular Data Centres Can Support Nigeria’s ICT Growth

    By Gary Chomse

    Nigeria’s information and communications technology (ICT) sector is experiencing robust expansion, fuelled by the financial services, oil and gas and fintech industries. This brings with it new investment prospects for data centres, to service advances in cloud computing infrastructure and the rollout of 5G technology[1]. 

    According to a 2023 research report, the size of the Nigerian data centre market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of almost 20 percent (17.9 percent) during the period 2021-2027[2]. Critical aspects of Nigeria’s data centre ecosystem include the need to deploy next-generation data infrastructure for agility and sustainability, and the ability to scale up as required. 

    The strategic use of prefabricated modular data centres can help to address these challenges. 

    Adding data centre capacity 

    The complexity of new technologies – including machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) – as well as the spreading of the network edge, is driving the need for enterprise data centres to add capacity. There is a growing need to upgrade data centre facilities to support the required advanced computing and higher-density architectures, including an increased complexity in power and cooling needs. 

    As a result, many local organisations will need to plan to add capacity due to increasing growth and reliance on digital applications, and the realisation that in-house options aren’t sufficient. The requirement is to be able to add capacity quickly and easily, without compromising on network security or the bottom line.

    Prefabricated modular data centre offerings provide sophisticated, customisable and scalable solutions to modern capacity challenges, offering factory-built reliability, rapid deployment, flexibility and efficiency. 

    While prefabricated modular data centres are not new, the technology has been refined since its introduction around 15 years ago, and at the same time, the building practices involved have also been improved. These sophisticated, fully integrated IT solutions can be configured to meet specific needs, as well as for quick deployment wherever computing is required. 

    Benefits of prefabricated modular data centres

    In addition to being an easy-to-implement, affordable alternative to building traditional data centres, prefabricated modular data centres offer the following benefits:  

    • Factory engineered reliability: Prefabricated solutions are engineered, assembled and tested in the factory, resulting in offerings that are rugged, reliable and repeatable. This reliability can pay dividends over the system’s lifespan, reducing the overall need for repairs and service calls.
    • Speed of deployment: Integrated modular solutions can be built while on-site activities continue. In addition, because they are fully integrated and virtually plug-and-play, these solutions can be commissioned and operational much faster than traditional data centres –  up to 30 percent more quickly, in fact. 
    • Customisable: Modern modules are custom-built to customer specs, then the configuration and build can be repeated quickly and efficiently as demand increases. This simplifies operation and service.
    • Flexible: Integrated modular solutions can be built and configured to support various architectures, including high-density computing and liquid cooling. In addition, a modular solution is portable and can be relocated as network demands change, for example to better support a low-latency application.
    • Reduced waste: These integrated, closed systems can be engineered to eliminate waste and be more sustainable than a traditional design. 
    • Cost certainty and scalability: The total cost of ownership is typically lower for integrated modular solutions, which also allow an organisation to add capacity when and where it is required

    Meeting market growth requirements  

    As outlined, the data centre industry in Nigeria is predicted to see significant growth in the next few years, being projected to reach USD 646 million by 2030, after its 2023 valuation of USD 250 million[3] – an anticipated doubling and more, in just over five years. This growth comes on the back of the increasing demand for data storage and processing through the rise of the digital economy and the growth of internet usage in Nigeria[4]. 

    In support of this growth, enterprise data centres looking to add compute, power or cooling in smaller increments can be enabled by these aims through modular solutions from Vertiv, a global provider of critical digital infrastructure and continuity solutions.  

    Vertiv remains committed to addressing critical data centre challenges across the continent, supporting the advancement of ICT enablement and digitalisation throughout the Central African region. The organisation established its office in Lagos, Nigeria, in 2003, manned by highly trained local sales, service and project delivery teams. During this time, Vertiv has built a strong, loyal local customer base, gaining recognition for delivering reliable prefabricated solutions tailored to regional needs. 

    Gary Chomse is the Regional Director for Consolidated, Central and Southern Africa at Vertiv

  • Nigeria Hosts 54 Countries, others to Africa Internet Governance Forum 2023

    Nigeria Hosts 54 Countries, others to Africa Internet Governance Forum 2023

    Nigeria is set to play host to 54 African nations and other continental Internet governance stakeholder blocs at the 2023 Africa Internet Governance Forum (AfIGF 2023) in Abuja from 18th to 21 September, 2023.

    This year’s event, being the 12th edition of the annual forum, is being hosted by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on behalf of the Federal Government, and is scheduled to take place at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, with the theme, “Transforming Africa’s Digital Landscape: Empowering Inclusion, Security, and Innovation”.

    The Forum will serve as a platform for meaningful dialogue and collaboration on Internet Governance among various sectors and regional initiatives to advance digital connectivity, address Internet Governance challenges, and empower Africa through digital transformation. 

    The event will be preceded by the African Youth Internet Governance Forum, which will take place from 13-18 September, 2023. 

    The series of events at this year’s programme will commence with the Parliamentarian Symposium, scheduled to take place from 18-19 September 2023 during which members of the Parliament from all participating countries will take the opportunity to consult and network with one another in a roundtable designed to better understanding of the roles of the legislature, and nudge deeper synergy with parliaments on Internet Governance in Africa.

    As a crucial gathering of stakeholders and investors in Africa’s digital future, the AfIGF 2023 promises to be a rare assemblage of key stakeholders from government, civil society, academia, the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector, and a broad spectrum of actors in the private sector intentionally rallied to discuss important matters focused on the development, access, and governance of the Internet in Africa. 

    The Forum, structured in a variety of gatherings, including dialogues, workshops, panel sessions, symposia, and roundtables, is a vibrant and inclusive platform that brings together stakeholders from across the African continent and other international partners, to engage in discussions that will shape the future of Internet Governance. 

    Other focal sessions at the event will include plenary discussions, interactive workshops, and expert panels focusing on Digital Inclusion and Connectivity; Cyber Security and Data Protection; Digital Rights and Freedom of Expression; Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Emerging Technologies; E-Commence and Digital Economy; and Data Governance and Trust, among others.

    Participants are also expected to discuss the 17 Sustainable Development Goals in the context of digital literacy and internet access in a manner that can accelerate development for the continent. 

    The event will feature high-ranking speakers, policymakers, industry experts, and thought leaders from across Africa and beyond. Through participants’ expertise and insights, the forum will generate actionable recommendations that can inform policymaking, drive investments, and shape the future of Internet Governance in Africa, by reshaping the trajectory of the continent’s digital landscape and paving the way for a more inclusive and prosperous digital future. 

  • ICT has an Unprecedented 18.44% Contribution to Nigeria’s GDP- Pantami

    ICT has an Unprecedented 18.44% Contribution to Nigeria’s GDP- Pantami

    The Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, is very excited to hear of the remarkable contribution of the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the second quarter of 2022 (Q2 2022). The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) stated this in the ‘Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product Report’ for Q2 2022, released on the 26th of August, 2022.

    The Digital Economy sector under Professor Pantami has continued its trend of playing a key part in the growth of Nigeria’s economy.  The Report by the NBS indicated that the ICT sector contributed 18.44% to the total real GDP in Q2 2022. This is the highest contribution of ICT to the GDP and is truly unprecedented and marks the third time that the sector has achieved an unprecedented contribution to Nigeria’s GDP during the tenure of the Honourable Minister- in Q1 2020, Q2 2021 and now Q2 2022.

    The oil sector contributed 6.33% to the total real GDP in Q2 2022, which was lower that the contribution in Q2 ‘2021 and Q1 ‘2022, where it contributed 7.42% and 6.63% respectively.  The non-oil sector’s contribution grew by 4.77% in real terms, resulting in a 93.67% contribution to the nation’s GDP in the Q2 ‘2022, higher than Q2 ‘2021 and Q2 ‘2022, where it contributed 92.58% and 93.37% respectively.

    The Honorable Minister notes that the growing contribution of the ICT sector to the GDP is as a result of the commitment of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR to the development of the digital economy.  The diligent implementation of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) for a Digital Nigeria, stakeholder engagement and the creation of an enabling environment have all played an important role in this achievement.

    The support of President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, has contributed immensely to the impressive developments in the sector. The unprecedented contribution of ICT to Nigeria’s GDP can also be attributed to the dynamic and results-oriented leadership of the sector. The GDP Report has shown how critical the ICT sector is to the growth of our country’s digital economy and, by extension, the general economy. 

    The Honourable Minister congratulates all stakeholders in the digital economy ecosystem for this cheering news. He also renews his call to all sectors to take advantage of the Federal Government’s new focus on the digital economy to enable and improve their processes through the use of ICTs.  This would enhance the output of all the sectors of the economy and boost Nigeria’s GDP.

  • Rejecting The Proposed Excise Duty on Telecommunications Services

    By Elvis Eromosele

    Nigeria, Africa’s largest ICT market, accounts for 82 percent of the continent’s telecom subscribers and 29 percent of internet usage. This is according toC. It goes on to say that globally, Nigeria ranks 11th in the absolute number of internet users and 7th in the absolute number of mobile phones.

    The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), has equally established that the telecommunications sector is the largest segment of the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector. Today, Nigeria has one of the largest telecoms markets in Africa, contributing over 17 percent to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). 

    In just over two decades, the telecommunications sector has seen over $75 billion in investment and a massive 250 million connected lines. This is up from NITEL’s 400,000 pre-GSM auction. 

    The impact spreads across every segment of the economy and the lives of Nigerians from all walks of life. It makes other sectors more productive, profitable and proficient. With telecommunications services, Nigerians have improved access to financial services, e-learning is on the rise, and e-Healthcare is a reality. 

    The sector has had to contend with a myriad of challenges from the get-go. Multiple taxations and over-regulations top the list of challenges, with lack of power, vandalism, theft, and Right of Way imbroglio, following close behind. And because the sector depends mainly on imports for its input, the difficulty in accessing foreign exchange remains a big issue. 

    The industry continues to thrive to maintain its operations despite these challenges and the directive from the NCC not to increase tariffs even when everything else continues to rise. 

    Now it appears the government is set to throw another spanner in the works with its proposed excise duties on telecommunication services. It is due to begin implementation of the new tax from the next fiscal year.

    The Minister of Finance and Budget, Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed, noted that the proposed tax is a bid to boost the country’s dwindling revenue against piling expenditure by the government, which has resulted in huge deficit spending finance by borrowing In explaining the tax which is under the purview of the Nigeria Customs Service, the government said the NCS would introduce frameworks for recovering duties, taxes, and appropriate fees from transactions conducted over electronic networks.

    Naturally, telecom services users, operators and associations have kicked against the proposed tax. The government, however ,appears to have bought the idea from the Finance Ministry hook, line and sinker with the focus on how excise revenue is expected to grow exponentially because of the introduction of the telecom service charge. 

    News reports indicate that there is some dissension; the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, is said to be opposed to the tax. 

    Speaking during the maiden edition of the Nigerian Telecommunications Indigenous Content Expo organised by the Nigeria Office for Developing the indigenous Telecom Sector, Pantami is quoted to have said, “The Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy is not satisfied with any effort to introduce excise duty on telecommunication services.

    “Beyond making our position known, we will go behind the scenes and go against any policy that will destroy the digital economy sector. We will go to any extent to legitimately and legally defend its interest.”

    Nobody appears to be ready to listen to him, however. The government claims it is broke, and with shrinking borrowing channels, it must look elsewhere for funds. 

    While the Budget Office maintains that “Revenue generation remains the major fiscal challenge of the Federal Government,” experts insist that the government’s plight is more a failure of expenditure than a generation. 

    Granted the government needs money, but taxing the telecom sector shouldn’t be the only avenue it always seeks to explore. 

    The telecom sector already contributes a lot to the Nigerian economy, and adding more taxes could impact its growth negatively. It will effectively raise tariffs without direct benefits for subscribers or operators. 

    Maybe, it is time the government begins to, as Pantami suggests, consider taxing other sectors of the economy that are not contributing to national development

    This new tax increases the tax on telecom services by five percent excise duty and brings the total taxation to 12.5 percent. This is unwelcome, unappreciated and unacceptable. It is tantamount to killing the goose that lays the golden egg. 

    We all likely know this tale by Aesop but it bears repeating: “There was once a Countryman who possessed the most wonderful Goose you can imagine, for every day when he visited the nest, the Goose had laid a beautiful, glittering, golden egg.

    The Countryman took the eggs to market and soon began to get rich. But it was not long before he grew impatient with the Goose because she gave him only a single golden egg a day. He was not getting rich fast enough.

    Then one day, after he had finished counting his money, the idea came to him that he could get all the golden eggs at once by killing the Goose and cutting it open. But when the deed was done, not a single golden egg did he find, and his precious Goose was dead.”

    What’s the lesson from the tale? In the quest for more, ensure you do not lose all you already have. 

    This is the lesson that the government now needs to heed. With the sort of ideas coming out from the government it is now indisputable, our government needs fresh blood and even fresher ideas. 

    The proposed tax will affect the usage of telecom services, limit broadband adoption and slow down socio-economic activities. Residents in underserved areas will naturally be disproportionately impacted. The tax will do far more harm than good. 

    The proposed exercise duty of telecom services is an ill wind that will do no good. 

    Elvis Eromosele, a Corporate Communication professional and public affairs analyst lives in Lagos.