Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has called on Nigerian students to actively protect telecommunications infrastructure across the country, describing such facilities as critical national assets that support education, innovation, economic growth and digital connectivity.

NCC

Dr. Aminu Maida,  executive vice chairman (EVC) and chief executive officer (CEO) of the Commission, made the call during a courtesy and familiarisation visit by the newly elected leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) to the Commission’s Head Office, Friday in Abuja.

The EVC, who was represented by the Director, Public Affairs Department, Mrs. Nnenna Ukoha, congratulated the newly elected NANS President, Comrade Akinteye Babatunde, and members of the association’s executive council on their emergence while commending the smooth transition in the leadership of the student body.

Dr Maida noted that the longstanding relationship between the NCC and NANS has continued to flourish because of mutual respect, dialogue and constructive engagement, and expressed confidence that the current leadership would build on the achievements of its predecessors.

The EVC encouraged the student body to remain actively involved in the Commission’s stakeholder engagement processes, particularly public consultations on regulatory and consumer-related initiatives, to ensure that the interests and perspectives of Nigerian students are adequately represented in policy development.

Speaking on challenges facing the telecommunications industry, Dr. Maida identified vandalism of telecommunications facilities, theft of fibre optic cables and network equipment, destruction of infrastructure, and right-of-way challenges as major factors affecting service delivery across the country.

He urged NANS to support ongoing awareness efforts by sensitising students on the importance of safeguarding telecommunications facilities located within and outside educational institutions.

“Telecommunications infrastructure remains the backbone of Nigeria’s digital economy and plays a crucial role in learning, research, innovation and communication. Students can support national efforts aimed at protecting telecommunications infrastructure through awareness and responsible civic engagement,” he said.

The EVC also highlighted several initiatives being implemented by the Commission to advance digital inclusion and create opportunities for young Nigerians.

These include the deployment of digital infrastructure through the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), establishment of Digital Parks in tertiary institutions across the country, and ongoing efforts to support digital learning and innovation.

“The Commission is currently consulting stakeholders on a proposed framework that may enable access to certain approved educational platforms under specific conditions without data charges”. He said.

On consumer protection, Dr. Maida reiterated the NCC’s commitment to ensuring adequate protection of consumers under the regulatory framework while encouraging students to utilise consumer education resources available on the Commission’s website to better understand data management, consumer rights, and complaint resolution mechanisms.

Earlier, the President of NANS, Comrade Akinteye, expressed appreciation to the NCC for maintaining a productive and mutually beneficial relationship with the student body over the years, and commended the Commission for its openness to strengthening engagement between the Commission and the student body through dialogue and mutual understanding.

He acknowledged the role of the NCC in fostering a culture of dialogue and stakeholder engagement, noting that the Commission’s approach has continued to encourage the student body to pursue peaceful and responsible advocacy on national issues.

Dr Karl Toriola, chief executive officer, MTN Nigeria, has assured its subscribers that another telecom tariff increase is not imminent.

Dr Karl Toriola, chief executive officer, MTN Nigeria

He also clarified his recent comments on unlimited mobile data, saying they were taken out of context.

Toriola who spoke during an interview on TVC’s Beyond the Headlines, said his remarks at MTN’s Data on Trial public engagement were intended to explain the technical limitations of mobile networks rather than suggest that consumers could never access unlimited data.

According to him, excerpts of his comments circulated online did not reflect the full context of the discussion.

“People took snippets of the conversation, and the entirety of the conversation is available on YouTube. There’s nothing to be hidden there, and they took it slightly out of context,” he said.

Toriola explained that mobile networks are constrained by finite spectrum resources, making unrestricted data usage technically impossible without affecting the quality of service for other subscribers.

“Mobile wireless technology to offer data is limited by one factor—spectrum—and spectrum is a finite resource. You cannot put an excessive load of data traffic onto a mobile network without having a degradation of the quality of service for other people,” he said.

He added that while many telecom operators market data plans as unlimited, such packages are generally governed by fair usage policies, under which internet speeds are reduced after subscribers exceed specified usage thresholds.

Toriola said MTN is working towards introducing similar products but noted that they would also be subject to fair usage limits to protect network quality.

Addressing concerns over rapid data depletion, the MTN chief executive said operators do not deliberately consume customers’ data, attributing much of the usage to background activities such as automatic cloud backups on applications including WhatsApp, Google Cloud and iCloud.

“A significant amount of data that’s consumed on your handsets is done without your realisation,” he said.

He advised subscribers to review their device settings and configure cloud backups to run only over Wi-Fi or at less frequent intervals.

To illustrate the point, Toriola said an audit of the phone of one of MTN’s chief officers, who had complained about unusually high data usage, revealed that WhatsApp was automatically backing up about 120 gigabytes of data.

On telecom pricing, Toriola said another tariff increase is not expected in the near term, although future reviews would depend on prevailing economic conditions and the cost of sustaining network operations.

“The increment is not imminent. But over time, depending on economic conditions, there might be possible tariff increases,” he said.

He maintained that the tariff adjustment implemented in 2025 was necessary to ensure the sustainability of the telecommunications industry after more than a decade without a price review despite rising operating costs.

Toriola also disclosed that MTN invested ₦390 billion in capital expenditure during the first quarter of the year, exceeding its ₦359 billion profit after tax for the same period.

He identified fibre cuts, vandalism, unreliable electricity supply and restricted access to telecom infrastructure as major factors affecting service quality.

“We have more fibre cuts in a day than the whole Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has in a year,” he said.

Responding to calls for sanctions against MTN over recurring xenophobic incidents in South Africa, Toriola said MTN Nigeria is a Nigerian company in ownership and operations, noting that it is listed on the Nigerian Exchange, has only four expatriates in its workforce and has millions of Nigerian shareholders through direct investments and pension funds.

“We unequivocally condemn any form of xenophobia, any form of violence, any form of attacks against any community in the world,” he said.

Airtel Africa Foundation, through Airtel Nigeria and in partnership with the Ishk Tolaram Foundation, Co-Creation Hub (CcHub), and SAIL Innovation Lab, has commenced the DigiLeap Women in Tech Programme, a transformative initiative designed to equip 200 young women from underserved communities in Ikorodu, Lagos, with industry-relevant digital skills and pathways into Nigeria’s rapidly expanding technology sector.

The programme, hosted by the SAIL Innovation Lab Ikorodu, comprises a 12-week immersive learning experience from June to September 2026, designed to prepare participants for careers in Product Design, Software Development, Digital Marketing, and Data Analytics.

Beyond technical training, beneficiaries will receive leadership development, structured mentorship from Airtel Nigeria professionals, and internship opportunities that provide practical workplace experience and exposure to industry best practices.

Commenting on the programme kick-off, Segun Ogunsanya, Chairman of the Airtel Africa Foundation, said empowering young women with digital skills represents one of the most sustainable investments in Africa’s future.

He also noted that the initiative reflects Airtel Africa Foundation’s continued commitment to expanding access to digital education while creating opportunities for young Africans to participate meaningfully in the continent’s digital transformation.

“We encourage every participant to approach this programme with purpose, discipline, and curiosity. The knowledge, networks, and mentorship you gain over the coming weeks have the potential to transform not only your own future but also the lives of your families, communities, and the next generation of girls who will look up to you. This is how lasting impact is created,” Ogunsanya said.

Also speaking on the initiative, Dinesh Balsingh, Chief Executive Officer of Airtel Nigeria, highlights that the initiative aligns with the company’s commitment to building an inclusive digital economy by ensuring more young Nigerians, particularly women, are equipped for the jobs of the future.

Balsingh said, “Nigeria’s digital economy presents enormous opportunities, but participation must be inclusive if we are to realise its full potential. Through the Airtel Africa Foundation, we are intentionally investing in young women because we recognise the immense value they bring to innovation, technology, and economic growth.

“DigiLeap is designed to equip participants with practical, industry-relevant skills that employers are looking for today while also giving them the confidence, mentorship, and professional exposure needed to build successful careers.”

According to the DigiLeap curriculum, participants will engage in intensive classroom instruction, hands-on projects, mentorship sessions, and internship placements designed to bridge the gap between learning and employment.

Airtel Nigeria professionals will serve as mentors, providing career guidance and sharing real-world industry insights to help participants transition successfully into the technology workforce.

The DigiLeap Women in Tech Programme spotlights the Airtel Africa Foundation’s growing investment in digital inclusion and youth empowerment across Africa. By creating pathways for more women to access technology careers, the Foundation continues to contribute to Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda while helping build a diverse pipeline of talent capable of driving innovation, creating businesses, and shaping the future of the country’s digital economy.