Telecom
FG Presses Forward with Controversial Wire-Tap Programme
The federal government is going ahead with her controversial programme that will require telecommunications service providers in the country to turn over cell phone records of their customers to security agencies, Nigeria CommunicationsWeek can report.
The programme that will allow security agencies monitor and track conversations on telephone and the internet, passed the second reading at the House of Representatives yesterday.
Nigeria CommunicationsWeek recalled that the bill for the programme had also passed the second reading at the Senate last month.
In simple terms, phone and internet communications made by Nigerians daily will be open to government monitoring and when necessary, interception.
If passed into law, it will allow government law enforcement agents filter and tap into communications and will also outlaw unauthorised interception of internet and phone communications.
The proposal is titled ‘A Bill for An Act to Provide for the Interception, Development And Protection of Communications Networks and Facilities For Public Interest And Other Related Matters, 2013”
The House of Representatives yesterday, Femi Gbajabiamila (APC-Lagos), said the bill would regulate text messages , and e-mail messages being monitored by people as well provide security for individuals.
The lawmaker expressed concern that people were sometimes subjected to blackmail and kidnapping through the tapping of telephone lines.
He decried the invasion of people’s privacy saying that it “should not be allowed in a democratic setting like Nigeria”.
“I don’t want anyone listening to my conversation”.
Speaking in support of the bill, Rep.Uzoma Abonta (PDP- Abia), said that the importance of security could not be overemphasised.
He urged the House to pass the bill into second reading for the benefit of Nigerians.
Contributing to the debate, Reps Bitrus Kaze(PDP-Plateau) , Nnenna Ukeje (PDP-Abia), Leo Ogor(PDP-Delta), in their separate input, called for the curtailing of tapping conversations describing it as “an ugly trend.”
The lawmakers argued that the bill was about the well being of Nigerians and corporate existence of the country.
Reps Ken Chikere (PDP-Rivers), Benjamin Aboho (ACP-Benue) also spoke, extensively, in support of the proposed legislation.
The bill was, however, opposed by Rep. Ossai Ossai (PDP-Delta), who argued that the proposed legislation was “contaminated” and should be thrown out.
The opposition notwithstanding, the bill passed second reading and the Speaker, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal referred it to the Committees on Communications, ICT and Justice for more inputs.
At the recently concluded NextNow Business Forum in Victoria Island, MTN Nigeria electrified the business community with a live demonstration of its forthcoming Communication Platform as a Service (CPaaS), a solution engineered to redefine how Nigerian enterprises connect with their customers.
Unlike traditional communication systems, MTN’s CPaaS is built for the realities of a mobile-first market. The platform unifies SMS, voice, WhatsApp, email, and more into a single, intuitive interface. This approach is especially significant in Nigeria, with over 107 million internet users, 45.4% of the total population, according to Data Report. This figure underscores the necessity for businesses to meet customers where they are.
During the demo, attendees witnessed how CPaaS enables two-way, real-time conversations between brands and customers. The platform’s support for rich media, instant analytics, and seamless integration with business workflows drew particular attention. These features are designed to empower businesses with data-driven insights and the agility to personalise every interaction, whether it’s a service notification, marketing campaign, or customer support exchange.
Akinbulejo Onabolu, Head of Enterprise Segment at MTN Nigeria, articulated the vision: “CPaaS gives enterprises the flexibility to interact with their customers on their preferred platforms; whether it’s chat, voice, or messaging, in a way that feels personal and immediate. We’re looking forward to the value this will unlock for businesses across industries once it launches.”
The fireside chat added depth to the conversation, with Omowunmi Olatunbosun, Head of SME Segment at MTN Nigeria, and Stephen Agbi of Bayobab, highlighting how digital engagement bridges the gap between businesses and audiences.
They emphasised that today’s consumers demand immediacy, relevance, and ease, qualities that CPaaS is built to deliver.
The stakes for digital transformation in Nigeria are high. In a report by Punch, the country’s enterprise tech market is projected to reach $22 billion by 2027, reflecting a surge in demand for scalable, cloud-based solutions that drive efficiency and customer loyalty.
The CPAAS Acceleration Alliance have estimated that globally, the CPaaS market is expected to grow from $14.7 billion in 2025 to $72.4 billion by 2035, at a compound annual growth rate of 18.4%, a testament to the platform’s transformative potential.
The event’s closing keynote from META’s Korhan Yunak reinforced the strategic value of digital channels like WhatsApp, which are now indispensable for business communication and engagement at scale.
As MTN Nigeria prepares for the Q3 2025 launch, the anticipation is unmistakable. With its promise of flexibility, intelligence, and seamless integration, MTN’s CPaaS platform is set to become the backbone of next-generation business-customer engagement in Nigeria, enabling enterprises to not just communicate but to connect, adapt, and grow in a digital-first era.
MTN Uganda is seeking input from stakeholders on a plan to structurally separate its mobile money service, MoMo, from its core telecoms business.
According to the company, the proposed change will be discussed at the upcoming extraordinary general meeting on July 2.
If approved, the telco’s fintech business will be run by a new company controlled by MTN Group Fintech Holdings B.V. and a trust benefiting minority shareholders following a merger.
Additionally, the restructuring also aligns with MTN Group’s ambition 2025 strategy which aims to unlock value, attract new investors, and strengthen regulatory compliance by creating standalone fintech entities in Uganda, Ghana, and Nigeria.
The company’s fintech division has over 13 million customers, with an 18.4% revenue increase in the first quarter of 2025, driven by 19.0% growth in mobile money services, 19.8% growth in transaction volumes, and a 31.4% increase in transaction value.
Reports say the decision is part of the telco’s compliance with the National Payment Systems Act 2020, which mandates mobile money businesses to operate as standalone entities, and to align with MTN Group’s regional fintech strategy.
MTN Uganda, which is led by CEO Sylvia Mulinge, highlighted that the implementation of the proposed transaction will be subjected to a number of conditions and regulatory procedures.
“The implementation of the proposed transaction shall be subject to a number of conditions, including the company and MTN MoMo receiving all required regulatory approvals and no-objections and complying with any regulatory conditions,” said MTN Uganda in notice.
Netflix has announced plans to invest more than €1 billion in Spanish film and television productions over the next four years, reinforcing its commitment to Spain as a key creative hub in Europe.
The announcement was made by co-chief executive Ted Sarandos at an event held at Netflix’s production studios near Madrid, celebrating the company’s 10-year presence in the country.
Sarandos emphasized that the investment would contribute significantly to Spain’s economy, create jobs, and enable the streaming platform to produce more local content. He was joined by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez in unveiling the initiative.
Netflix first established its international production studios in Madrid in 2019, following the success of the Spanish-language hit series Money Heist.
Since then, its 22,000-square-meter facility has become one of Netflix’s major production centers within the European Union.
The company currently supports over 20,000 jobs in Spain, highlighting the nation’s growing influence in global entertainment.
The investment reflects Netflix’s ongoing strategy to expand its presence in European markets through original content and local talent.
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