Telecom
2022 International Women’s Day: Ekeh, Zinox Group Remain Global Shining Examples
When over 16 years ago, a journalist had ambushed him on the sidelines of an event, Leo Stan Ekeh, Chairman, Zinox Group, had delivered what seemed back then like a prophetic announcement, but which today, is gradually proving to be true.
Ekeh had stated that women would lead by the turn of the 21st Century, with the Zinox boss disclosing that the impact of women would be felt even keener in leadership roles from the year 2026.
Coming in an era when many women were facing a glaring and deeply ingrained inequality in the workplace and society, as well as reduced access to opportunities in the political, corporate, religious and social spaces, Ekeh’s projections must have been dismissed or cast aside by many as widely off the mark.
The hard facts or data on ground were also not consistent with the submission of the serial digital entrepreneur and renowned gender advocacy enthusiast. Globally, women have for long held the short end of the stick or played second fiddle to their male counterparts on the business or political fronts and especially in the male-dominated tech space in which Ekeh operates.
Research shows that out of about 239 billion-dollar Venture Capital-backed companies around the world, less than 25 have a female founder. In other words, most billion-dollar companies are founded by men.
Also, a study by McKinsey & Company establishes that women are also grossly underrepresented in CEO positions, too, with only 4% of US Fortune 500 companies having a female CEO. Only a few or rare exceptions buck this trend. For women of color, the numbers are even more disappointing, as only 4% hold a C-suite role among US companies.
In addition, a 2018 Woman in the Workplace study reveals that for every 100 men who are promoted to manager level, only 79 women are promoted and, if we break down the data even more, just 60 black women are promoted.
Moreso, a Morgan Stanley analysis shows that between 2005 and 2014, European companies had 14% women in their boards while data from the US Census Bureau indicates that a woman makes 80.5 cents for every dollar a man earns.
In addition, the job aggregating service, Adzuna, found that only 11% of those who earn more than $100,000 per annum are female employees. The case remained sadly in the disfavour of women on the political front too, with leadership positions seemingly the exclusive preserve of the male-folk.
Yet, many years later, Ekeh returned to the inaugural edition of the Africa Fintech Disrupt Conference sponsored by Access Bank in 2018 with the same message.
At the end of a charged, impassioned speech which ended with a standing ovation from the audience at the crowded hall in the Landmark Event Centre, Oniru, Victoria Island, Lagos, Ekeh had specifically addressed the womenfolk. He had urged them to prepare to take charge, adding that the world should adjust to this coming reality which he reiterated would begin to take shape from 2026.
The Zinox boss has consistently predicted that women would take over and that a time would come when corporate organizations that had no females as CEOs or in their Executive Management cadre would be considered old-fashioned.
Specifically, he had based his faith in women as better leaders or managers in the fact that they are more financially prudent, humble, less prone to fraud, spiritually sound, better counsellors and possibly even smarter than their male counterparts of the same age – factors which he has identified as traits which make them more naturally suited for leadership.
He has also not failed in preaching and practicing the same message internally across the Zinox Group and Konga, recently transformed into a flourishing e-commerce ecosystem after its 2018 acquisition.
As the world marks the 2022 anniversary of International Women’s Day with the theme #BreakTheBias, the outpouring of support for women and consciousness of the growing roles of women in contemporary society seem to be felt even more keenly than ever, prompting another look at the insistence of Ekeh that the future belongs to the gender.
Granted, women still face severe cases of inequality and bias the world over, ranging from unequal pay, barriers to promotion, bias against mothers/nursing mothers, higher burnout/stress in women and more importantly, incidences of sexual harassment. Recently, the Nigerian National Assembly also refused assent to a couple of bills targeted at increasing women participation in the political space.
But despite it all, there is clear evidence that things are changing.
If the example of a Nigerian woman, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who today, occupies leadership of a global organization – the World Trade Organisation (WTO) is not enough, it would be fitting to also acknowledge that on the political front, countries such as Germany, Greece, Denmark, Estonia, Moldova, Lithuania, Slovakia and even Liberia, here in Africa, have recently had or currently have female presidents or heads of government.
Also, Big Tech has recently enjoyed a taste of woman power with the likes of Susan Wojcicki (CEO, YouTube), Sheryl Sandberg (COO, Facebook), Virginia ‘Ginni’ Rometty (who stepped aside on April 1, 2020 after becoming the first woman to serve as Chairman, President and CEO of IBM) and Meg Whittman (now board member of Procter & Gamble and General Motors but who was previously president and CEO of Hewlett Packard Enterprise(HPE)), among many other glowing examples.
Women are now holding down more executive management or C-Level positions across the globe than ever before. More and more women are also aspiring for better education than their male counterparts.
Indeed, a recent Pew Research Center survey agrees that today’s young women are starting their careers better educated than their male counterparts, noting that as most women now get higher education than their mothers and grandmothers before them, they can bring those skills to the workplace and impact business outcomes.
Feedback from another Pew Research Centre survey shows that Americans don’t find significant differences between women and men in their ability to run a company, with numbers varying based on sector.
The survey reveals that in certain industries, women seem to have an advantage than men. Notably, 31% of those sampled think a woman would do a better job running a retail chain, while only 6% can say the same for a man.
In healthcare, 19% think a woman would be a better choice as a hospital’s manager, while less than half (8%) would say the same for a man.
Interestingly, the same wave of women taking over is sweeping through the Nigerian business domain where, at the last count, almost one-third of Nigerian banks are now led by female CEOs.
Equally of note is the outcome of several studies which further justify the growing appreciation of the leadership qualities of women. These research findings admit that when women secure senior executive positions, companies become more profitable.
Instances include a 2018 study conducted by the Boston Consulting Group in partnership with MassChallenge, a US-based global network of accelerators, as well as a 2016 study by Marcus Noland and Tyler Moran published in the Harvard Business Review.
These statistics-backed research are causing a mindset shift in business circles, with investors and business owners now doing more in terms of diversifying the profile of their senior management to accommodate more women.
However, this is a template that Ekeh, for long a lone voice in the wilderness of gender equality, himself has long used as a practical, success-backed example.
Speaking on Tuesday, March 8, 2022 on the anniversary of International Women’s Day at The Herwakening, a women empowerment conference hosted by TD Africa – Ekeh, who had expressed a sense of satisfaction at the huge impetus in the rise of women globally, had challenged participants to a quiz.
He had asked them to name the only organisation in the world which had five female Managing Directors within its fold.
The answer to this puzzle, for many of these female participants, was undoubtedly an easy one as this seemed an impossibility.
But that ‘impossibility’ is a reality in the Zinox Group where Ekeh remains arguably the only entrepreneur who has appointed the most females in merited leadership positions anywhere in the world.
At the last count, the Zinox Group still has four female Managing Directors and a CEO. They are led by Mrs. Chioma Ekeh, wife of Mr. Ekeh and CEO of TD Africa, a cerebral mathematician and Chartered Accountant who has, over the years, steered the company to the pinnacle of the tech distribution space in Sub-Saharan Africa and consistently maintained its unflagging reputation as the industry leader.
She is ably assisted by three other female business leaders, all MDs worth their weight in gold: Chioma Chimere, Coordinating Managing Director (CMD); Shade Oyebode, Managing Director, Operations and Gozy Ijogun, Managing Director, Sales.
At Zinox, another female, Kelechi Eze-Okonta, is Managing Director, a position she has occupied since 2018.
As the world rallies round the theme of breaking the bias – as aptly couched for the 2022 anniversary of International Women’s Day, Ekeh’s long-held faith, confidence and absolute non-bias for gender equality remains a fitting example for all the world over and a clear foresight of an imminent future the world must be ready to accommodate.
Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal has upheld a $220 million fine imposed by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) on Meta Platforms Inc. and WhatsApp LLC for data privacy violations in Nigeria.
The Tribunal also awarded $35,000 in investigative costs to the country’s Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission .
In a statement issued by the FCCPC, the Tribunal delivered its judgment in the appeal filed by Meta Platforms Incorporated (Facebook) and WhatsApp LLC against the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), affirming the Commission’s authority and ruling in favour of its actions on nearly all contested issues.
According to the statement by the FCCPC, “The Tribunal specifically determined that the Commission adhered to prevailing laws, fulfilled its mandate, and exercised its powers by the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
“It ruled that the multiple actions by WhatsApp and Meta, for which the Commission made findings of violations, were correctly identified, and that the Commission did not err in making those findings.”
The statement revealed that WhatsApp and Meta’s legal team was led by Professor Gbolahan Elias (SAN), while the FCCPC was represented by Babatunde Irukera.
It added that both legal teams presented their final arguments on behalf of their respective clients on January 28, 2025.
“The FCCPC had on July on July 19, 2024, issued a Final Order imposing a $220 million administrative penalty after concluding that the companies engaged in discriminatory and exploitative practices against Nigerian consumers, the investigation started in 2020.
“The case arose from a 38-month joint investigation initiated by the FCCPC and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) into the conduct, privacy practices, and consumer data policies of Meta Platforms and WhatsApp.
“Dissatisfied with the Order last year, Meta and WhatsApp appealed to the Tribunal, challenging both the legal basis and the findings of the Commission,” FCCPC said.
The Tribunal upheld the FCCPC’s authority and investigative procedures in Meta and WhatsApp’s appeal, resolving most of the contested issues in the Commission’s favour.
It confirmed that the FCCPC acted within its constitutional and statutory mandate, particularly regarding fair hearing, data protection, and consumer rights.
While it dismissed the majority of the appellants’ objections, it set aside one specific order (Order 7) for lacking sufficient legal basis.
While expressing satisfaction with the judgment, Tunji Bello, executive vice chairman/CEO, commended the Commission’s legal team for their exceptional diligence and forensic expertise in assembling evidence and presenting their case.
He reaffirmed the FCCPC’s unwavering commitment not only to protecting the rights of Nigerian consumers but also to promoting fair business practices in line with the FCCPA (2018) and the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Nigerian government.
Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), has made history with the listing of Legend Internet Service Plc as the first company in its Telecoms sector and the first company to be listed this year.
Legend’s N2 billion ordinary shares, with a par value of 50 kobo each, were listed at N5.64 per share.
Dr Umaru Kwairanga, chairman of NGX Group, who welcomed Legend’s board and management, commended the company for its successful listing on the Exchange
He highlighted that listing signifies an elevated commitment to corporate governance and provides opportunities to leverage the Exchange’s diverse asset classes for capital raising.
He stated, “As we celebrate this listing, with many more in the pipeline, I commend the management of Legend Internet Plc for this remarkable milestone.
“This bold step demonstrates confidence in your business model and growth vision.
It also marks the formal emergence of a broadband service as a distinct sub-sector on our Exchange.
Legend has evolved from a focused digital network provider to a diversified technology player, achieving significant advancements in broadband infrastructure development and data services.
We anticipate continued growth in the future.
“We are still bringing many companies on board the NGX, including Dangote, NNPC and others.
“As Africa’s leading exchange, NGX has consistently championed innovation, transparency and sustainable value creation through our investment in cutting-edge infrastructure and a comprehensive range of product offerings, spanning equities, bonds, ETFs and derivatives
Speaking at the Facts Behind the Listing Ceremony, Dr Ladi Bada, chairman, Legend emphasised that the company, as the first indigenous telecommunications company on NGX, has substantial value to offer the market.
Bada encouraged Nigerians to embrace the broadband industry, recognizing it as the fastest-growing sector globally.
He noted that the company had been instrumental in laying fiber optic cables connecting 250 homes in the Suleja and Abuja environs.
He expressed optimism that the Exchange would serve as a catalyst to replicate such commendable projects across other regions of Nigeria.
“We are here to create an enabling digital infrastructure to achieve the projected one-trillion dollar economy.
“On this special day, Legend Internet takes a bold step forward, not just for itself, but for the broader ecosystem of technology, infrastructure, and enterprise in Nigeria.
“As we begin this exciting new chapter as a publicly listed company, we do so with humility and boldness.
We remain committed to continuous innovation, expanding our reach, and delivering value to shareholders and society
“A listing on the Nigerian Exchange is more than a financial event. It is a signal and a declaration that a business is ready to be held to the highest standards of governance, performance, and public trust,” he said
Providing insights into the company’s development, Ms Aisha Abdulaziz, chief executive officer of Legend Internet Plc, stated that the company had evolved from an internet service provider to a comprehensive digital service provider.
Abdulaziz noted that with broadband penetration in Nigeria being less than one per cent, Legend Internet was strategically positioned to deepen access
She affirmed the company’s commitment to taking Nigeria’s digital economy to the next level
“When we started Legend, we weren’t just building an internet company; we were building a movement
A movement fueled by the belief that every Nigerian deserves access to premium, reliable, and high-speed internet, regardless of their location or occupation
“From late nights in our first office to laying fiber across Abuja, to launching products that made people’s lives easier and faster, our journey has always been about connections
“Connecting people to opportunities, connecting homes to entertainment, connecting Nigeria to the digital future it deserves. Our journey has always been about a better way to live.
“This listing is a symbol of our commitment to transparency, sustainable growth, and the kind of excellence that outlives hype.
“Legend’s primary focus now is on unlocking digital value at the household level,” she said.
Mr Jude Chiemeka, chief executive officer of NGX, congratulated the company for making the strategic decision to list.
Mr Chiemeka noted that Legend’s listing on NGX now brings the total number of listed securities to 322
Also, Mr Temi Popoola, chief executive officer of the Nigerian Exchange Group, encouraged the investing public to support the newly listed company.
Digital Realty, the leading global provider of cloud- and carrier-neutral data center, colocation, and interconnection solutions, announced today the expansion of its interconnection platform, ServiceFabric®, to Nigeria.
The platform will be natively deployed at Digital Realty’s LOS1 and LOS2 facilities in Lagos, ensuring low-latency, high-performance connectivity for enterprises in the region and beyond.
This strategic expansion reinforces Digital Realty’s commitment to enabling seamless global interconnectivity for businesses, providing enterprise customers in Nigeria with the ability to connect whenever, wherever, and to whoever they need to.
The presence of ServiceFabric® in Lagos will support the growing demand for hybrid IT and multi-cloud connectivity, empowering businesses with a secure, software-defined interconnection platform.
As part of Digital Realty’s broader vision to support digital transformation across Africa, this deployment is a significant step in an ongoing ServiceFabric® expansion across the continent. Future rollouts are planned to bring additional access points across Africa, enabling enterprises to interconnect with partners, clouds, and networks seamlessly.
The timing of this deployment aligns with a surge in digital activity across Africa. The continent’s digital transformation market is projected to grow from approximately USD 23 billion in 2024 to USD 46 billion by 2029, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15% , underscoring the accelerating demand for advanced connectivity solutions.
In Nigeria specifically, national initiatives such as the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) program and the Broadband Alliance reflect strong government support for enhancing digital skills and infrastructure – further highlighting the country’s critical role in Africa’s digital future.
“The launch of ServiceFabric® in Nigeria marks a significant milestone in our mission to build a truly globally connected digital economy,” said Chris Sharp, Chief Technology Officer, Digital Realty. “By deploying ServiceFabric® natively in our Lagos facilities, we are ensuring businesses in Nigeria have access to the same best-in-class interconnection capabilities as enterprises in major digital hubs around the world.”
Explaining further, Engineer Ikechukwu Nnamani, Managing Director, Digital Realty Nigeria, stated the launch of ServiceFabric® in Nigeria is a direct response to the call by the Federal Government towards availability of global infrastructure in the country thereby enhancing localization of content and bringing global platforms into the Nigerian ICT ecosystem.
By a direct connectivity into the Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria (IXPN), the IXPN will be able to peer with other global exchanges thereby enhancing the quality of service delivery to Nigerian companies and service providers.
ServiceFabric® is already available natively in more than 160 Digital Realty facilities and over 500 third-party facilities through strategic partnerships, including with Megaport and the recent collaboration with Console Connect. These partnerships help extend the reach of the platform, providing enterprises with a truly global, interconnected ecosystem.
ServiceFabric® is a next-generation interconnection solution designed to simplify and streamline connectivity between enterprises, cloud providers, and network partners. With integration points to Digital Realty’s Private AI Exchange (AIPx), it also paves the way for secure and efficient AI workload connectivity, further future-proofing enterprise infrastructure.
Key benefits include:
- Seamless multi-cloud connectivity – direct, secure access to major cloud providers with access to more than 280 cloud on-ramps globally, ensuring optimized performance and security.
- Global reach, local performance – enterprises in Nigeria can connect with business partners and digital services across PlatformDIGITAL®, Digital Realty’s global data center platform consisting of 300+ facilities across 50+ cities in 25+ countries.
- Scalability & flexibility – businesses can scale their interconnection needs on demand, adapting to changing IT and network requirements.
- Enhanced security & reliability – a private, software-defined platform that reduces exposure to public internet risks and improves network resiliency.
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