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Tag: stakeholder management

  • NCC Appoints Princess Oforitsenere Emiko as Interim Chairman of the Digital Bridge Institute Governing Board

    NCC Appoints Princess Oforitsenere Emiko as Interim Chairman of the Digital Bridge Institute Governing Board

    The Board of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has appointed Princess Oforitsenere Emiko as Interim Chairman of the governing board of the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI), a move that anchors the Commission’s plan to reposition the Institute for the next era of Nigeria’s communications sector and digital economy.

    She will be joined on the board by Engr. Abraham Oshadami, Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, and Ms. Rimini Makama, Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management, who join as interim Board members. The interim leadership will work alongside the President/CEO, Mr. David Daser, and the remaining board members whose tenures are unexpired, to drive the Institute’s transformation.

    Established by the NCC in May 2004, DBI was created as a specialized centre for training in telecommunications and information technology. In the two decades since, the sector it serves has grown from telecommunications into a broad, fast-moving digital economy, one where technology now advances quickly enough to demand continuous specialized training, and where communications infrastructure has become a matter of national sovereignty and oversight. Securing and advancing the future of communications and the digital economy is now a clear national and economic priority.

    That future also rests on Nigeria’s young population. With 70 percent of Nigerians under the age of 30, the DBI transformation is designed to empower young people, equip them with advanced technical skills, and close the capability gap that currently slows the pace of technology adoption across the communications sector and the wider digital economy.

    The repositioned Institute will concentrate on five areas: Education and Training, Research and Development, Innovation, Economic Impact and Growth, and Emerging Policy and Regulation. The strategy has been shaped through engagements beyond the NCC and the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, including consultations with the Federal Ministry of Education and TETFund, the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, and the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI).

  • NCC Board Storms Digital Bridge Institute, Signals New Push For ICT Skills, Digital Capacity

    NCC Board Storms Digital Bridge Institute, Signals New Push For ICT Skills, Digital Capacity

    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on Friday sent a strong signal of renewed commitment to digital capacity building as members of its Board and top management carried out an on-the-spot inspection of the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI), Oshodi, Lagos State.

    The high-powered delegation, led by Chairman of the NCC Board, Chief Idris Olorunnimbe, toured facilities at the Institute, assessing infrastructure, training equipment and ongoing programmes aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s digital workforce.

    The inspection tour brought together key decision-makers of the telecoms regulator, underscoring the Commission’s resolve to align policy, regulation and human capacity development in the rapidly evolving digital economy.

    Among those present were the Executive Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, members of the NCC Board, Princess Oforitsenere Emiko, Engr. Ikechukwu Ugwuegede, Hon. Chris Okorie, and the Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management, Ms Rimini Makama.

    Also on ground was the Head of DBI Lagos Campus, Mr. Akin Ogunlade, who guided the delegation through the Institute’s training facilities and ongoing capacity-building initiatives.

    The visit, observers noted, reflects growing concern within the NCC over the urgent need to equip Nigerians with cutting-edge digital skills as technology reshapes communication, business, governance and everyday life.

    By inspecting DBI’s facilities first-hand, the NCC Board demonstrated its intention to ensure that training programmes remain relevant, industry-driven and capable of meeting the manpower demands of Nigeria’s fast-growing ICT sector.

    The Digital Bridge Institute serves as the NCC’s flagship training arm, providing specialised education in telecommunications, ICT regulation, emerging technologies and digital innovation for both Nigerians and participants from across Africa.

    The Board’s visit is seen as a strategic move to strengthen DBI’s role as a regional centre of excellence, while ensuring accountability, quality delivery and alignment with national digital development goals.

    Industry watchers say the presence of the NCC’s top leadership sends a clear message: digital infrastructure alone is not enough without skilled manpower to drive, sustain and regulate it.

    The inspection tour also signals tighter oversight of NCC-funded institutions, with emphasis on outcomes, impact and value for investment.

    As Nigeria races to deepen broadband penetration and grow its digital economy, Friday’s visit positions the NCC and the Digital Bridge Institute as central players in building the human capacity required to power the next phase of national development.

  • Access Holdings Recognised by Pan-Atlantic University for Championing Youth-Led Sustainability

    Access Holdings Recognised by Pan-Atlantic University for Championing Youth-Led Sustainability

    Access Holdings recently welcomed students from Pan-Atlantic University (PAU), who visited the Group’s headquarters to express their appreciation for sponsorship of the EcoMalchemy Plastic-to-Art Project.

    The initiative, which turned discarded plastic waste into artistic masterpieces now exhibited in a museum, gave students an opportunity to explore how creativity can drive conversations around sustainability and environmental responsibility.

    As part of their visit, the students presented a special award of appreciation to Access Holdings for its role in bringing the project to life. They were warmly received by Victor Willie, Head, Stakeholder Management, Access Holdings, and the Group’s sustainability team.

    The students shared reflections on how the project broadened their perspective on waste management, community impact, and the power of collaboration. They also commended Access Holdings for its commitment to supporting youth-led innovation in tackling environmental challenges.

    In response, representatives of Access Holdings celebrated the students’ creativity and reaffirmed the Group’s dedication to fostering sustainability, innovation, and partnerships that make a lasting impact.

  • NCC Seeks Fair Solution for Unclaimed Recharges at Stakeholder Forum

    NCC Seeks Fair Solution for Unclaimed Recharges at Stakeholder Forum

    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) convened a virtual stakeholder engagement forum today to address the critical issue of unclaimed and unutilized prepaid recharges in the telecommunications sector. The forum, attended by industry operators and consumer advocates, aimed to refine draft guidelines designed to balance consumer rights with the operational realities of Mobile Network Operators (MNOs).

    Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of the NCC, whose welcome address was delivered by Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management, Rimini Makama, emphasized the importance of finding a “framework that protects consumers while ensuring the continued efficiency and competitiveness of the industry.” He highlighted that the NCC is committed to fostering a fair, transparent, and consumer-centric telecommunications landscape.

    “At the heart of our discussions today is the issue of unclaimed recharges,” Dr. Maida stated. “Our goal is to arrive at a framework that protects consumers while ensuring the continued efficiency and competitiveness of the industry.”

    Mrs. Chizua Whyte, Head of Legal & Regulatory Services at the NCC, outlined the key provisions of the Draft Guidance on Unutilized and Unclaimed Subscribers’ Recharges. She explained that the proposed guidelines seek to establish clear, fair, and transparent procedures for managing unused credits left on churned subscriber lines.

    “This Draft Guidance seeks to establish clear, fair, and transparent procedures for managing these funds, ensuring that subscribers maintain rightful access to their purchased credits while providing operators with regulatory clarity,” Mrs. Whyte said.

    The draft guidelines propose a 12-month window for subscribers to claim unutilized recharges after their lines have been churned, provided they can verify ownership. Operators will also be required to conduct comprehensive audits of all churned numbers and submit detailed documentation of unclaimed recharges. Importantly, unclaimed recharges cannot be monetized but must be made available through service options such as voice offerings, data plans, and value-added services.

    The NCC has set a 90-day implementation timeline for operators to achieve full compliance, including consumer education and notification requirements. The guidelines align with international best practices, prioritizing transparency and service alternatives over cash refunds.

    The forum also addressed operational challenges, particularly regarding cross-network service options, which were deemed impractical due to varying operator costs and administrative complexity. The NCC emphasized that airtime is legally considered a consumable service, aligning with regulations from bodies like the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

    The main objectives of the Draft Guidance are to provide a clear process for managing consumer recharges and credits through safeguards and service options, ensure billing transparency, and provide regulatory certainty to the sector.

    The NCC reiterated its commitment to upholding the highest standards of service and ensuring the industry’s continued evolution and growth. The Commission expressed gratitude for the stakeholders’ input and contributions, emphasizing that their expertise and experience are vital in refining the guidelines.

    “Together, we can develop guidelines that are fair, practical, and serve the collective interests of Nigerian consumers, operators, and our growing digital economy,” Mrs. Whyte concluded.

    The NCC will review the feedback from the forum and finalize the guidelines, which operators will have 90 days to implement. Non-compliance will result in fines and audits.

  • World Customs Organisation Recognizes SIFAX Group

    World Customs Organisation Recognizes SIFAX Group

    The World Customs Organisation (WCO) has commended SIFAX Group for its strategic importance and the excellent service that has become the hallmark of the business conglomerate.

    This recognition was given during the presentation of a “Certificate of Merit” to the company by WCO during this year’s International Customs Day celebration in Abuja, Nigeria, with the theme “Customs Delivering on its Commitment to Efficiency, Security, and Prosperity.”

    The World Customs Organization (WCO) is an intergovernmental organization headquartered in Brussels, Belgium. WCO works on customs-related matters including the development of international conventions, instruments, and tools on topics such as commodity classification, valuation, rules of origin, collection of customs revenue, supply chain, security, and international trade facilitation, among others.

    SIFAX Group is one of the few organisations recognized from Nigeria by WCO at the event.

    The award was presented by the Chief of Defence of Staff, General Christopher Musa.

    According to Ian Saunders, WCO Secretary General, the honour was bestowed on the company “for rendering exceptional service to the international Customs community.”

    While responding to this recognition, Dr. Taiwo Afolabi, Chairman, SIFAX Group lauded both WCO and the Nigeria Customs Service for identifying and honouring the critical role the company has played in facilitating trade globally in its over three decades of operations.

    He said: “SIFAX Group has received different awards from stakeholders and governments all around the world, but this honour is special because of the critical role WCO plays in supporting customs administrations globally to facilitate trade and deliver efficient services.

    “SIFAX Group has over the years developed a culture of excellent service, stakeholder management, relationship building and community impact for the overall good of the business ecosystem. We are glad that our impact is felt and rewarded not only in Nigeria but globally. We want to thank WCO for this honour and promise this will spur us to up our game in meeting and exceeding expectations in quality service delivery and societal impact.”

    Afolabi also lauded the Comptroller General, Nigeria Customs Service, Mr Wale Adeniyi, for his exceptional leadership that has resulted in unprecedented achievements by the Service since he assumed office.

  • Commonwealth Short Story Award Winner Releases The Talent Coach

    Commonwealth Short Story Award Winner Releases The Talent Coach

    Dr. Frederick Mordi, a Commonwealth Short Story Award winner, who wrote The Familiar Stranger and Other Stories, has announced the release of his second novel, The Talent Coach.

    Published by New Africa Book Publishers (NABP), The Talent Coach is a tour de force that adds a new perspective to the nature versus nurture debate. The novel tells the compelling story of Dr. Joe Jordan is highly sought after by many high-profile clients including CEOs of Fortune 500 Companies, heads of state, and athletes.

    Dr. Jordan visited Nigeria recently at the invitation of a leading new-generation bank. While in the country, the celebrated orator, who is often described as a walking encyclopaedia of knowledge, met with Nigerians from all walks of life.

    As he had done in the 62 other countries across all the continents of the world that he had visited, Dr. Jordan helped many Nigerians to re (discover) their hidden talents and taught them how to mine their natural endowments to become successful in life, using the 12 principles that he had carefully curated.

    The pulsating novel has a length of 206 pages, divided into a prologue, 12 topics, each with a striking quote, which drives home the message intended for the reader, and an epilogue. There is also a workbook at the end of the novel that Dr. Jordan had developed to help people carry out a critical self-assessment of their talent and become a better version of themselves.

    From debunking the myth that talent is exclusive to a select few, to exploring the intricate relationship between nature and nurture, Dr. Jordan expertly guides readers on a journey of self-realisation and shows them how to unleash their innate potential.

    In the first topic, “Everybody Has Talent,” he emphasises the universality of talent and dispels the notion that it is confined to a lucky few, while the second topic “Nature or Nurture” delves into the long-standing debate surrounding the origin of talent.
    The Talent Coach offers indispensable advice on the need to focus on one’s strengths and stay committed to a chosen path, in the next topic: “Remain In Your Field”& “The Icarus Parado” looks at the challenges some talented individuals often face in sustaining stasis in stardom.

    In “Practice Makes Perfect,” he highlights the undeniable role of deliberate practice in honing talent, while “Dealing With The Impostor Syndrome” equips readers with the tools to overcome self-doubt and embrace their accomplishments. Dr. Jordan guides readers on how to build their emotional strength to enable them to bounce back from setbacks in “What Is Your Adversity Quotient?”

    These are just a few samples of the interesting concepts that the novel, which is an invaluable resource for anyone seeking personal and professional growth, offers readers. The author’s engaging writing style and adroitness in the use of dialogue will hold the attention of readers to the end.

    The Talent Coach has received rave reviews and endorsements from acclaimed experts. According to Fela Durotoye, an executive coach, leadership expert, global speaker, and nation builder: “Through the pages of this brilliant book, the ultimate talent coach himself, Fred Mordi, helps us to unravel the mystery of TALENT, as the secret place of our greatness.”

    Professor Emurobome Idolor, FANIM, first to obtain a PhD degree in Music from a Nigerian University, said: “The factual content of this book makes it all-important for parents and children to own.”

    For Olakunle Kasumu, presenter/producer, Channels Book Club Show, “All the recurrent questions about talent, natural abilities, acquired skills, and nature versus nurture, are answered as you read a story that is, in itself, captivating.”

    The Talent Coach is available for purchase in leading physical bookstores across Nigeria, and in digital bookstores such as Amazon, Lulu and Selar.

    Dr. Mordi, the author of the book, is a corporate communications practitioner with over two decades of experience cutting across journalism, public relations, government affairs, stakeholder management, change management, and reputation management.

  • MAN appoints Segun Alabi as Assistant Director, Corporate Affairs & Communications

    MAN appoints Segun Alabi as Assistant Director, Corporate Affairs & Communications

    The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), the premier and leading advocacy voice of Manufacturers in Nigeria, has announced the appointment of Segun Alabi as its new Assistant Director, Corporate Affairs and Communications (Corporate Services).


    Segun Ajayi-Kadir, mni, Director General/Chief Executive Officer of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) said: “Segun Alabi is a talented Corporate Affairs professional who has gained diverse experience in the Pay TV, Financial, Real Estate, Business Membership Organisation and Manufacturing sectors.


    He will be an added value and a real asset to the Association, as we continue to promote the interest of Manufacturers by deepening sector-based advocacy and partnership with national and international economic actors in government, organized private sector, host communities and other stakeholders, as well as contributing to the growth of the Nigerian economy.”


    Segun Alabi, most recently, served as Head, Corporate Affairs and Programs at the Chartered Institute of Directors Nigeria (CIoD Nigeria), overseeing all corporate affairs, communications and programs functions of the Institute. He has focused on Reputation Management, Government Relations, CSR Management, Stakeholder Management, Public Policy Advocacy and social media management at various levels. He is also a consummate corporate communications professional, who possesses the qualities of a communication connoisseur, with a canny ability to manage and disseminate information to a competitive advantage.


    Upon starting, Segun Alabi said, “I am excited about joining the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) and indeed it is a dream come true. The task ahead is enormous but achievable.”


    Segun Alabi holds a Ph.D. in English from the University of Lagos, specialising in language use and communication.

  • The Talent Coach, a tour de force that adds a new perspective to the nature versus nurture debate, is now available at bookstores across Nigeria.

    The Talent Coach, a tour de force that adds a new perspective to the nature versus nurture debate, is now available at bookstores across Nigeria.

    Published by New Africa Book Publishers (NABP), and authored by Dr. Frederick Mordi, a Commonwealth Short Story Award winner, who also wrote The Familiar Stranger and Other Stories, The Talent Coach is the compelling story of Dr. Joe Jordan, one of the world’s leading experts on talent. They call him ‘The Talent Coach’ everywhere he goes, and he is highly sought after by many high-profile clients including professional athletes, CEOs of Fortune 500 Companies, and heads of state.

    The tall handsome African-American, who is often mistaken for a Hollywood movie star, due to his imposing personality, visited Nigeria at the invitation of a leading new-generation bank.

    While in the country, the celebrated orator and best-selling author, who is often described as a walking encyclopaedia of knowledge, met with Nigerians from all walks of life. As he had done in the 62 other countries across all the continents of the world that he had
    visited, Dr. Jordan helped many Nigerians to rediscover their hidden talents and taught them how to mine their natural endowments to become successful in life, using the 12 principles that he had carefully curated. At the end of his visit, Dr. Jordan acknowledged that he had never met a more charming people during his globetrotting.

    The pulsating novel has a length of 206 pages, divided into a prologue, 12 topics, each with a striking quote, which drives home the message intended for the reader, and an epilogue. There is also a workbook at the end of the novel that Dr. Jordan had developed to help people carry out a critical self-assessment of their talent and become a better version of themselves.

    From debunking the myth that talent is exclusive to a select few, to exploring the intricate relationship between nature and nurture, Dr. Jordan expertly guides readers on a journey of self-realisation and shows them how to unleash their innate potential.

    In the first topic, Everybody Has Talent, he emphasises the universality of talent and dispels the notion that it is confined to a lucky few, while the second topic Nature or Nurture delves into the long-standing debate surrounding the origin of talent. Drawing from scientific studies and captivating real-life examples, he explores the complex interplay between genetics and environment. He empowers readers to cultivate their talents effectively and encourages them to believe in their abilities.
    The Talent Coach offers indispensable advice on the need to focus on one’s strengths and stay committed to a chosen path, in the next topic: Remain in Your Field. He cites examples of actual people to prove that unwavering perseverance can lead to extraordinary achievements and draws attention to the importance of locational leverage—his own coinage.

    The Icarus Paradox looks at the challenges some talented individuals often face in sustaining stasis in stardom. Here, Dr. Jordan warns of the dangers of complacency and hubris, advising readers to strike a delicate balance between ambition and caution, in their pursuit of excellence.

    In Practice Makes Perfect, he highlights the undeniable role of deliberate practice in honing talent, while Dealing With the Impostor Syndrome, equips readers with the tools to overcome self-doubt and embrace their accomplishments with confidence. Dr. Jordan guides readers on how to build their emotional strength to enable them to bounce back from setbacks in What Is Your Adversity Quotient?

    These are just a few samples of the exciting concepts that The Talent Coach, which is an invaluable resource for anyone seeking personal and professional growth, offers readers. The author’s engaging writing style and adroitness in the use of dialogue will hold the attention of readers to the end.

    The Talent Coach has received rave reviews and endorsements from acclaimed experts. According to Fela Durotoye, an executive coach, leadership expert, global speaker, and nation builder: “Through the pages of this brilliant book, the ultimate talent coach himself, Fred Mordi, helps us to unravel the mystery of TALENT, as the secret place of our greatness.”

    Professor Emurobome Idolor, FANIM, first to obtain a PhD degree in Music from a Nigerian University, who also endorsed the book, said: “Talent, a most precious endowment, often difficult to discover, and like a mirage to pursue, is the pathway to our success in life.


    “Many people had great talents in a field like music, for example, but parents dampened their dreams, peers dissuaded some, while a few surmounted the odds and are celebrated today. The factual content of this book makes it all-important for parents and children to own.”

    For Olakunle Kasumu, presenter/producer, Channels Book Club Show, “This book is deeply profound, revealing, thought-provoking, and motivating. All the recurrent questions about talent, natural abilities, acquired skills, and nature versus nurture, are answered as you read a story that is, in itself, captivating. The Talent Coach is going to be a hit!”

    The Talent Coach is already on digital bookstores such as Amazon, Lulu and Selar. It is now available for purchase in physical bookstores across Nigeria.

    Mordi, the author of the book, is a corporate communications practitioner with over two decades of experience cutting across journalism, public relations, government affairs, stakeholder management, change management, and reputation management. In his spare time, he loves mentoring young people both in their personal and professional lives. He is based in Lagos.

  • NCC reiterates Commitment to Strengthen Nigeria’s Telecoms Sector

    NCC reiterates Commitment to Strengthen Nigeria’s Telecoms Sector

    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has said it remains committed to its regulatory role of continually implementing requisite reforms to strengthen the communications sector in Nigeria.

    The Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management at the NCC, Adeleke Adewolu, stated this while addressing stakeholders at the combined second and third quarters 2023 meeting of the Industry Working Groups (IWG) on multiple taxation and regulations in the telecoms sector.

    The meeting, which held in Ibadan, Oyo State on Tuesday, was convened as a precursor to a more elaborate Regional Stakeholders Workshop on Multiple Taxation and Regulations, scheduled to take place in the State on Wednesday.

    Addressing the meeting, attended by senior executives of telecom licensees and their umbrella body, the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), as staff of the Commission, Adewolu said the IWG’s activities are geared towards ensuring fair tax policies and eliminating every incident of multiple taxation and regulations impacting the Nigerian telecommunications industry.

    He stated that a lot of milestones have been recorded by the industry since the establishment of the IWG over two decades ago, as the platform has proven to be effective in articulating industry concerns in this area and also proffering solutions to these issues.

    “Considerable industry gains have been recorded lately, particularly as it relates to the issue of multiple taxation. For instance, His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recently signed Four Executive Orders designed to curb multiple taxation in the Country.

    “Key amongst them is the Executive Order for the suspension of the five per cent Excise Duty on telecommunication services as well as Excise Duties escalation on other locally manufactured products,” he said.

    He described the gains as laudable as, according to him, they continue to serve as inspiring landmarks for the industry, underscoring what can be achieved when the entire industry come together harmoniously to speak with one voice on existential concerns undermining the economic health of the communications industry.

    However, the Executive Commissioner said there remains a lot of work to be done as the industry was still beguiled by arbitrary Right of Way (RoW) charges, hidden nuisance taxes and unauthorised regulatory encroachment into the communications industry.

    As such, he said the Commission has continued to work assiduously to ensure harmonisation of RoW charges across the country.

    He said aside several existing agencies the Commission has been working with, it is also collaborating strategically with sister agencies such as the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), in line with the National Economic Council (NEC) resolution of 2012 and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

    “We are also working with the Nigerian Mainstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), all in a bid to ensure the regulatory actions taken by the agencies are well synchronised with the regulatory objectives of the Commission, in a manner that boosts market development and industry sustainability,” he said.

    While tasking telecom licensees to continue to bring burning issues on multiple taxation and regulation to the attention of the Commission as they experience in their daily operation, Adewolu also assured them of NCC’s decision to always make necessary regulatory intervention to boost industry growth.

    “The Commission is always inclined to executing the requisite reform that will strengthen the Communications Sector and deepen market development,” he said, as he urged all stakeholders at the IWG meeting to deliberate frankly and productively in highlighting pressing and key issues that require urgent attention.

  • Segun Alabi Appointed Head of Corporate Affairs and Programs, IoD Nigeria

    Segun Alabi Appointed Head of Corporate Affairs and Programs, IoD Nigeria

    The Institute of Directors Nigeria (IoD), the premier corporate governance Institute and a leading promoter of ethical professional standards in Nigeria, has announced the appointment of Segun Alabi as its new Head of Corporate Affairs and Programs.

    Dele Alimi, Director General/Chief Executive Officer of The Institute of Directors Nigeria (IoD) said: “Segun Alabi is a talented Corporate Affairs professional, who has gained diverse experience in the Pay T.V, Financial, Real Estate and Manufacturing sectors. He will be an added value and a real asset to the Institute as we continue to support, promote and provide best practice guidelines to company directors, as well as contributing to the growth of the economy.”

    Segun Alabi, most recently, served as Corporate Affairs Manager at AB-INBEV (International Breweries Plc), overseeing all regulatory affairs and sustainability functions of the organisation. He has focused on Reputation Management, Government Relations, CSR Management, Stakeholder Management, Public Policy Advocacy and social media management at various levels. He is also a consummate corporate communications professional, who possesses the qualities of a communication connoisseur, with a canny ability to manage and disseminate information to a competitive advantage.

    Upon starting, Segun Alabi said, “I am excited about joining the Institute of Directors Nigeria and indeed, it is a dream come true. The task ahead is enormous but achievable.”

    Segun Alabi holds a Phd degree in English from the University of Lagos, specialising in Language Use and Communication.

  • Spectrum Auction Will Democratize Broadband for Nigerians – Danbatta

    Spectrum Auction Will Democratize Broadband for Nigerians – Danbatta

    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has said the ongoing process to auction two additional lots in the 3.5GHz spectrum for Fifth Generation (5G) is part of efforts that will further democratise access to high-speed mobile broadband for all Nigerians.

    The Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, stated this in Lagos over the weekend while speaking at the 10th Annual Brands and Marketing Conference of the Brand Journalists Association of Nigeria (BJAN) where the NCC was conferred with the “Regulator of the Decade” Award.

    Represented by the Commission’s Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management, Adeleke Adewolu, the EVC noted that the ongoing process, for which arrangements are in top gear, followed the successful auctioning of two bands of the 3.5GHz spectrum in December of 2021.

    Danbatta disclosed that the Commission is currently reviewing the licences and frameworks for fixed broadband to update them in line with current challenges and make them more effective as part of the pivotal initiatives deployed by NCC that are already bearing fruits.

    The EVC was emphatic that the Commission, in pursuit of its mandate, has been relentless in creating a conducive atmosphere for the rollout and adoption of new technologies, and the government has taken the firm position that the country must leverage digital technologies to grow the economy.

    As such, he said the development of policies such as the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) 2020-2030 and the Nigerian National Broadband Plan (NNBP) 2020-2025, which the NCC and other agencies and partners are assiduously implementing. 

    Danbatta informed the participants at the conference that content creation and consumption have grown around the telecommunications infrastructure provided by technology, which Nigerian entertainers have leveraged to become global brands.

    “Due to heavy leverage on digital platforms, the Nigerian entertainment industry has gone global. Nollywood is one of the biggest movie industries in the world. In fact, more movies are produced by Nollywood yearly in comparison to Hollywood.

    “Nigerian music stars are in hot demand worldwide because of their popularity and brand recognition on social media. We should add that many of these global superstars emerging from Nigeria launched into stardom by leveraging Caller Tunes and other mobile content platforms to grow their brands and huge followers online,” the EVC stated.

    Increasing the intensity of his submission, Danbatta declared that “Digital platforms are fostering different types of systemic change, creating new brands, eroding the value of some brands, whilst at the same time increasing the value of other brands. The innovation-transformation-disruption cycle have come to stay and will be exacerbated as technology continues to evolve.”  

    The EVC left the impressive audience with reasons to be hopeful when he said, “Let me assure you that the NCC will continue to aggressively drive the rollout and seamless operation of infrastructure to drive new digital technologies for the benefit of all sectors of our economy. It is our hope that Nigerian brands will continue to leverage on robust infrastructure to grow their value and ensure that our country derives maximum benefit from unfolding digital transformation efforts.”

  • Industry Collaboration will aid Successful Deployment of 5G in Nigeria- Danbatta

    Industry Collaboration will aid Successful Deployment of 5G in Nigeria- Danbatta

    Industry collaboration is very essential to the successful deployment of 5G Services in Nigeria, so says the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, who in Lagos earlier today, urged industry stakeholders to stand with the Commission to explore the prospects and potentials of the new technology, which is enormous.


    Prof. Danbatta, who spoke at the 90th Edition of the Telecom Consumer Parliament (TCP) hosted by the Consumer Affairs Bureau of the Commission, said the policy framework for the deployment has come into place and will facilitate the deployment of services by the recent winners of the 3.5GHz spectrum auction, MTN Nigeria Communications Ltd and MAFAB Communications Ltd.

    He said the Commission has set out the regulatory instruments needed for fast deployment of the new versatile technology for the benefit of the consumers and the stakeholders.

    Prof. Danbatta, therefore, invited the support of all stakeholders to ensure that 5G technology is deployed in Nigeria in a manner beneficial to all telecom consumers and to support the emergent Digital Economy Policy of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

    He highlighted the potential use cases for 5G networks as broadly categorised by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to include Enhanced Mobile broadband (eMBB), Massive Machine-type Communications (mMTC), as well as Ultra-reliable and Low-latency Communications (uLLC)


    “We will continue to collaborate with stakeholders across sectors to ensure faster deployment of 5G services, and accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s broadband infrastructure,” he said.

    He identified some challenges in the deployment to include limited frequencies with the required spectral efficiency, skilled professionals with requisite knowledge of the technology, fewer number of 5G-enabled devices, and cost of deployment but stated that the industry must work to turn the challenges into opportunities rather than seeing them as obstacles.


    Prof. Danbatta said the issues that should militate against or slow down the deployment of 5G technology are themselves opportunities that can potentially create new revenue streams or new subsectors in the industry.

    “We must conclude this Telecom Consumer Parliament with solutions to challenges that are associated with 5G deployment in countries that had deployed the services ahead of Nigeria. We must also have a clear roadmap on how the opportunities offered by the technology can be maximized for the benefit of Nigerians” Adewolu said.

    The event was attended by representatives of Mobile Networks Operators (MNOs), the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Association of Telecom Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Consumer Advocacy and Empowerment Foundation (CADEF), Association of Telecoms Cable TV and Internet Subscribers (ATCIS), and other key stakeholders in the telecom industry.

  • NCC, FIRS Inaugurate Joint Committee to Boost National Revenues in Telecoms Sector

    NCC, FIRS Inaugurate Joint Committee to Boost National Revenues in Telecoms Sector

    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) have taken their collaboration a notch further by setting up a Joint Committee of senior and management staff of the two agencies towards the implementation of inter-agency strategies for enhancing national revenues in the telecommunications sector.

    The NCC’s Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management, Adeleke Adewolu, inaugurated the 17-member committee on behalf of the Commission’s Executive Vice Chairman, Prof. Umar Danbatta, and the Executive Chairman of the FIRS, Mr. Muhammad Nami, at the NCC’s Board Room in Abuja on Tuesday, May 10, 2022. 

    The inauguration of the committee, comprising six officials of NCC and eleven officials of FIRS, was carried out with senior officials of NCC and those of the tax agency led by its Coordinating Director for Compliance Support Group, Dr. Dick Irri, who represented the FIRS’ Executive Chairman, Muhammad Nami at the event.

    While inaugurating the Committee on behalf of the heads of the two agencies, Adewolu stated that the terms of reference (ToR) of the Committee include: review the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the NCC and the FIRS on June 9, 2020; and carry out inter-agency interaction on the implementation of the NCC’s Revenue Assurance System (RAS), to ensure that I,t incorporates the needs of FIRS to the extent that RAS can remain the sole interface with telecom service providers’ networks vis-à-vis the Tax Authority’s information needs from the telecoms sector.  

    Given the Committee’s composition and with the extensive experience and commitment of its members – which had informed their selection by the agencies – Adewolu stated that the management of NCC and the FIRS expected no less than an excellent output from the Committee, tasking them to work together harmoniously and in the overall national interest.

    Also in his comments, Dr. Dick Irri, who led the FIRS delegation to the inauguration, advised the Committee to take the assignments very seriously. “I would like to task you to take this assignment as a national matter as we expect the two agencies to work in harmony, collaborate effectively and have a warm handshake that will make this synergy between the two agencies a great example of collaboration between Federal Government agencies towards enhancing fiscal governance in Nigeria,” he said.

    The decision to set up the Committee was one of the major outcomes of the meeting between the FIRS and the NCC on March 8, 2022 organised at the instance of the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Pantami, to discuss the request by the FIRS for data and documents from the telecoms industry for enhancing national revenues from the sector.

    The inauguration is a significant achievement, as it deepens the strategic collaboration between the two government agencies in the pursuit of their statutory objectives. It also vindicates the emphasis placed on achieving mutually-sustainable relationships with relevant stakeholders as detailed in both the NCC’s Strategic Management Plan (SMP), 2020-2024 and the Strategic Vision (Implementation) Plan (SVP 2020-2025) as well as FIRS’ strategic framework.

    The activities of the NCC and the FIRS are acknowledged as pivotal to the achievement of sustainable revenue and growth projections of the Federal Government. In this regard, the telecoms sector has sustained a relatively high contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) over the years – ending the fourth quarter of 2021 at 12.6 percent.

    Besides, the FIRS recently acknowledged that some telecom licensees contribute significantly high percentage of total national tax revenue. It is expected that the Joint Committee will enable both organisations to further optimise revenues for the Federal Government from the telecoms, digital economy and adjacent sectors of the economy.

  • Cable Equiano: Pantami, Danbatta Pledge Enabling Policy Environment for Wider Connectivity

    Cable Equiano: Pantami, Danbatta Pledge Enabling Policy Environment for Wider Connectivity

    The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami), and the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta, have promised to continue to drive policy initiatives that promote investment in infrastructure in the Nigerian telecom industry in order to deepen connectivity to enhance the nation’s growth and development.

    The duo stated this on the sideline of the reception marking the landing of the Equiano undersea Cable System in Nigeria at the Open Access Data Centre at Lekki in Lagos. Pantami and Danbatta commended Google LLC, the West Indian Ocean Cable Company (WIOCC), and other investors for bringing additional bandwidth capacity into the country to drive connectivity and growth.

    While Pantami was represented at the event by NCC’s Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management, Adeleke Adewolu, Danbatta was represented by the Executive Commissioner, Technical Services at NCC, Ubale Maska. Other senior management staff of the Commission at the event included the NCC’s Director, Technical Standards and Network Integrity, Bako Wakil, and the Controller, NCC’s Ibadan Zonal Office, Yomi Arowosafe.

    The Minister said the Federal Government, through the Ministry, will continue to drive the implementation of existing digital economy-oriented policies already put in place by the current administration. Pantami also promised an enabling environment that encourages foreign and local investment in infrastructure projects such as the way Google and its co-investors have done.

    Also commenting, Danbatta said the Commission’s expectations, initiatives, and vision towards increasing broadband penetration, quality of service, advancement of a digital economy, and commitment to improving national security through technological advancement, are on the priority list of its regulatory interventions.

    Danbatta expressed delight that Equiano has joined the list of other submarine cables at the shores of Nigeria, including SAT3 cable, MainOne cable, Glo1 cable, ACE cable, WACS cable, Dolphin by Natcom, and MTN respectively.

    The EVC assured stakeholders of the Commission’s commitment towards ensuring that the huge bandwidth capacity from these cables at shore in Lagos would be transmitted to different part of the country to drive robust and ubiquitous infrastructure. This is in keeping with the provisions of the digital economy policy being implemented by government in collaboration with all stakeholders.

    The EVC expressed optimism that Google’s investment in the subsea cable, Equiano, will be significant in driving NCC’s ongoing implementation of the Nigerian National Broadband Plan (NNBP) 2020-2025, which aims at increasing broadband penetration to 70 percent by 2025.


    “We are hopeful that Equiano, together with earlier undersea cables in the country, will have additional landing points in the hinterlands through collaborative efforts with NCC-licensed Infrastructure Companies (InfraCos). This will help to reduce retail data prices significantly and thereby complementing the Commission’s efforts at ensuring that affordable Internet services are available to boost Commission’s ongoing broadband policy initiatives”. Danbatta stated and thereby helped to reiterate the objective linkages of policies and plans in the telecom ecosystem, and the national economic strategies.


    Meanwhile, the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who also witnessed the unveiling of the Google submarine cable, underscored its centrality to Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to boost job creation and contribution to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), over the next three years.

    The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of WIOCC, Chris Wood, also described the landing of the submarine cables as a major investment in the Nigerian digital economy.

    The new cable system is named after a Nigerian hero, Olaudah Equiano, who survived enslavement in the 18th century and went on to become a famous writer and anti-slavery activist. Besides, the triumph over challenges, which Equiano’s life symbolised, the landing of the cable in Nigeria is expected to underscore Nigeria’s leadership as a regional hub for connectivity, and thus, set to attract cloud operators, content providers, content distribution networks and their associated ecosystems.

  • 5G: NCC Carries out Successful Mock Auction of 3.5 GHz Spectrum

    …Sets Stage for Main Auction on Monday
    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has successfully carried out a mock session for the 3.5 gigahertz (GHz) spectrum auction for the deployment of the Fifth Generation (5G) network in the country.
    The simulated auction, which took place on Friday, December 10, 2021 at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, was preparatory to the main auction scheduled to take place on Monday, December 13, 2021 at same venue.
    The conduct of the simulation exercise was in line with the requirements stipulated in the Information Memorandum (IM) for 3.5 GHz spectrum auction. The IM is a document that defines the process for the licensing of the 3.5 GHz spectrum band, earlier published on the Commission’s website at the inception of the auction process.
    Using the Ascending Clock Auction System for the mock session, the three qualified bidders for the 3.5 GHz spectrum, namely MTN Nigeria, Mafab Communications Ltd, and Airtel Networks Ltd, participated in the software-based simulated auction exercise.
    The mock auction was witnessed by the Chairman, Board of Commissioners, NCC, Prof. Adeolu Akande; the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta; Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, Ubale Maska and the Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management, Adeleke Adewolu.
    Others, who witnessed the mock auction include representatives from the bidding companies, senior management staff from relevant departments of the Commission, technical consultants, software consultants, legal consultants and other external observers.
    Following the successful mock auction, the stage is set for the Commission to license two slots in the 3.5 GHz spectrum band, expected to be picked by successful bidders at the end of the Main Auction on Monday, December 13, 2021.
    The auction on Monday will mark a turning point in Nigeria’s determination to harness the benefits of 5G for the nation’s socio-economic growth, as concrete roll-out of 5G commences in 2022.
    In a brief remark at the Mock Auction, Danbatta said the Commission had taken all necessary steps to ensure due diligence on the credibility of the consultants and to safeguard the integrity of the software solution being used to carry out the implementation of this historic national assignment.
    “This is consistent with the open, credible transparent and fair manner by which the Commission is known to have conducted previous auction processes, which have been locally and globally applauded,” Danbatta said.
    In order to ensure a fail-proof process, the Commission also carried out a simulation of the manual process of the auction, aside the electronic mock. This is to ensure that bidders are also familiar with the manual auction in case of any circumstances on the Main Auction Day that may warrant a need to switch to the Manual Auction. It is pertinent to note that the two forms – electronic and manual – are clearly stated in the IM and they follow the same process.
    Representatives of the bidding companies, the Commission, the consultants and other observers at the Mock Auction expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the simulation exercise, which also provided the opportunity for the Commission to perfect the auction process ahead of the Main Auction.
    The Commission had commenced the process for the auction of the 5G spectrum in the last quarter of the 2021 and had, since then, carried out a number of activities ahead of the Main Auction.
    October 7, 2021, the Commission had published the Draft Information Memorandum (IM) on the auction of the 5G spectrum on its website (www.ncc.gov.ng) and issued a public notice in major channels, including print, electronic, and new digital media. Comments on the draft IM were received by the Commission up until October 28, 2021.
    On November 3, 2021, the Commission held a stakeholders’ engagement forum in Lagos at which comments received from a broad segment of stakeholders, including the major operators, were exhaustively discussed and considered.
    On November 10, 2021, the Commission published the Final IM, and Stakeholders’ comments thereon on its website and the national dailies, and set the deadline for the submission of bids on Wednesday, November 24, 2021.
    As a responsive regulator, the Commission also proceeded to accommodate concerns raised by some stakeholders, due to social disruptions, and extended the date for submission of the bidding applications to Wednesday, November 24, 2021 to Monday, November 29, 2021.
    On December 1, 2021, the NCC announced the three companies – MTN Nigeria Limited, Mafab Communications Ltd, and Airtel Networks Ltd – as having successfully submitted their bids in line with the requirements of the IM.
    The Commission, therefore, wishes to thank all stakeholders for all the support, collaboration and partnership they have offered to get to this stage, and implores all stakeholders not to rest on their oars until the bidding processes are concluded successfully. Thereafter, the Commission, as it has now become its culture, will rally stakeholders into the next phase of the implementation of the 5G policy.