Telecom
ICT Stakeholders @ PIAFO Conference Harps on Benefits of ‘Dig Once Policy’
Stakeholders in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector on Tuesday highlighted the benefits of Dig Once Policy to the economy, saying that it would promote and ensure ubiquitous broadband penetration across the country.
L-R: Adewale Sulaiman, GM, Network Enterprise Services, MTN Nigeria; Chidi Ajuzie, Group Chief Operating Officer, WTES Projects Limited; Omobayo Azeez, Convener PIAFo and Publisher, Business Metrics Nigeria; Engr Usman Aliyu, Sec. BISC and Head, Wireless Network, NCC, (Rep. Minister of Communications and Digital Economy) and Ashwani Mishra, Director of ICT Strategy and Marketing, Huawei Technologies at the fourth edition of PIAFo held in Lagos.
Prof Isa Ali Pantami, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, speaking at the 4th edition of Policy Implementation Assisted Forum(PIAFO) on National Dig Once Policy, said the policy would promote and encourage collaboration between the private and public sectors.
Pantami who was represented by Engr Usman Ali, Deputy Director, Technical and Network Integrity, Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC) stated this in his keynote address with the theme ‘Laying the Foundation for Ubiquitous Broadband for Nigeria’s Economic Breakthrough’.
He said that Dig Once Policy would promote synergy and collaboration among private partners participation.
The minister said that the synergy would encourage infrastructure sharing and joint installation of fibre duct to avoid future digging.
He said that the Dig Once Policy which is still in the draft form would promote installation of fibre duct for effective broadband, reduce the barriers for Internet Service Providers.
According to him, Dig Once Policy promotes safety of citizens reduces traffic congestion on line, promotes comprehensive planning and inclusion of all telecoms infrastructure.
Prof Umar Danbatta, Executive Vice Chairman, NCC, also represented by Engr Usman Ali in his keynote address ‘Unlocking the Full Potential of the Telecoms Sector as an Economic Enabler with Dig Once Policy ‘.
The EVC said that NCC as a coordinating agency to will foresee the Dig Once Implementation Council (DOIC) and ensure that the policy is obeyed to the later.
Danbatta said that hopefully, by the end of the year, the Dig Once Policy which is in the draft form would be unveiled.
Mr Olabode Ojo, Director, Fiber Operations, IHS Nigeria said that the many benefits of Dig once cannot be overemphasized.
Ojo said that a Dig Once approach that encourages cooperation but does not prevent excavation when needed is most recommended for federal, state, and local agencies.
He said that Operators’ participation should also be non-exclusive thereby enabling the desired rapid broadband penetration for the country.
According to him, the benefits of Dig once policies include protecting newly and recently paved roads and sidewalks and enhancing the uniformity of construction.
He said that the benefit of Dig Once Policy also includes ensuring efficient, non-duplicative placement of infrastructure in the Public Right of Way (Row).
According to him, the benefits also includes environmentally friendly and enhances a greener planet, partnership in capacity building programmes such as training of contractors, skilled construction workers and site supervisor.
Also speaking at the occasion, Mr Chidi Ajuzie, Group Chief Operating Officer, WTES Project Limited in his paper presentation Public -Private Collaboration as a catalyst for Dig Once Policy Implementation emphasized on public private vector Collaboration.
Ajuzie said that the collaboration develops an ecosystem of trust with connectivity providers considering them as partners in improving the lives and livelihoods of citizens in line with commercial sensitivity.
He said that Dig Once Policy support digital inclusion initiative, internet speed increases, price per data unit decreases, increase data traffic competition.
Also, in his opening remarks, Mr Omobayo Azeez, Lead Executive, PIAFO said that the summit was considered a necessity to boosting Nigeria’s digital economy drive.
Azeez said which would ride on availability of high-speed internet to the nooks and crannies of the country.
He said this explains the choice of the Theme of this Summit which is: Laying the Foundation for Ubiquitous Broadband for Nigeria’s Economic Breakthrough.
It may interest you to know that the National Dig Once Policy that forms the central point of this summit is not yet operational in Nigeria.
‘’In fact we are setting the pace with this summit as the Pioneer stakeholder consultative forum dedicated to Dig Once in Nigeria.
‘’This speaks volume to the enormity of the task ahead of us today.’’
According to him, “we have positioned this forum to make invaluable contributions for proper formulation of the policy and its effective implementation after it is drafted.
He said in a simple term, Dig Once” policies include being alert to the potential to install or obtain fiber and conduit along rights-of-way on major infrastructure such as roads.
Azeez said that the Policy is imperative to deal with the bitter reality of telecoms sector anywhere in the world, the reality is that network expansion is often constrained by high cost of deploying infrastructure;
He said that fiber optic is the backbone infrastructure for network expansion and high Quality of Service (QoS).
He noted that achieving these and the ultimate 70 per cent broadband penetration targets by 2025 requires an ecosystem of willing and united stakeholders.
Azeez said that the stakeholders including various agencies of governments, operators, equipment manufacturers, and internet service providers.
He said that it is believed that all relevant stakeholders should be part of formulating this policy to ensure that the implementation is seamless.
According to him, it should be prevented from being revolted against in some quarters, just as the case with Right of Ways Charges in some states.
According to him, PIAFo is committed to building a strong midpoint platform for policy dialogue between the public and private divides of our ecosystem.
He said that this initiative is built on the three pillars of Policy Advocacy, Policy Implementation and Policy Assessment.
According to him, “we believe in more dialogue that leads to clear policy direction which is a prerequisite for seamless policy execution”.
Mr Ashwani Mishra, Director, ICT Strategy and Marketing, Huawei, enumerated important recommendations for Dig Once implementation in Nigeria.
According to him, “DOIC (Dig Once Implementation Council) as SPV should clarify the fiber strategy, boundary and scope of work of each stakeholder and publish quarterly progress reports. A mechanism description clarifying the cooperation between DOIC and NGF in adopting the policy in different states.
“Stimulate demand by making provision of ICT infrastructure a standard requirement for new building to drive extension of fiber everywhere in the country.
“Make Duct a standard specification for road reconstruction and new buildings.
” Uniform RoW charges and have SLA’s for each department / Ministry who are involved in the process of approval or else penalty.
“Protection of telecoms infrastructure by law enforcement agencies. Standard and specifications Redundancy and protection mechanisms should be unpacked, considered and included, especially with relation to national and regional routes.
“Imposition of penalties on construction companies for any arbitrary damage of fiber infrastructure. Establish a normative, technical and institutional framework for the pre-cabling of buildings in fiber optics for access to very high-speed broadband.
“Clearly define the property rights, and right of use of the new ducts/ conduits in the implementation of the policy, especially to those within the buildings and private sectors.
“Promote shared Fiber Infrastructure to avoid duplication of asset and CAPEX by each Player.
“Allow state utility like electrical poles to be used for the fiber rollout to expedite same.”
Telecom
CerAwards 2026: CeraVe & Konga Health Reward Top Creators with Paris Trips and N12M in Prizes
The intersection of dermatological excellence, technological innovation, and creative storytelling reached a fever pitch on April 23rd as the inaugural Cerawards Africa 2026 took centre stage in Lagos. Orchestrated by CeraVe, the world’s #1 dermatologist-recommended skincare brand, in an exclusive strategic partnership with Konga Health, Nigeria’s leading distributor of premium skincare and beauty products, the event celebrated emerging creators with CeraVe-sponsored trips to Paris, N2 Million and other amazing prizes.
CerAwards 2026
Making its debut on the African continent, CerAwards 2026 chose Nigeria as its first destination, a decision made possible through the direct result of the robust infrastructure and market trust built by Konga Health. This partnership between both brands reflects a shared commitment to driving accessibility, authenticity, and innovation within the beauty industry, while placing Nigerian talent firmly on the global stage.
Hosted by renowned media personality Bisola Aiyeola, the event delivered a seamless blend of entertainment and industry relevance. From the outset, it was clear that CerAwards was not just another awards ceremony, but a platform designed to reshape narratives, connecting skincare, storytelling, and commerce in a uniquely Nigerian way. The gala brought together the beauty industry elites, Nollywood stars, top influencers, and a new generation of digital entrepreneurs, all united by a singular vision of excellence.
Delivering his address at the event, Chairman of Zinox Group, Leo Stan Ekeh, emphasised the strategic importance of innovation and excellence in building sustainable industries.
“What we are witnessing today is the convergence of technology, creativity, and commerce,” he stated. “At Konga, and particularly through Konga Health, we are committed to pursuing excellence in everything we do, ensuring that Nigerians have access to genuine products while also creating platforms that drive economic value. Technology remains the backbone of modern economies, and initiatives like CerAwards demonstrate how it can unlock new opportunities for growth, especially among young creators.”
CerAwards 2026 attracted over 800 entries from content creators across the country, reflecting the depth of talent within Nigeria’s digital and creative economy. Following a rigorous screening process by a distinguished jury comprising Funke Akindele (Nollywood actress, producer and director), Uzor Arukwe (award-winning actor), Anais Routhiau (CeraVe Africa), Ijeoma Balogun (CEO, Redrick PR), Subuola Oyeleye (Founder, Beauty Hut Africa), and Yvonne Enwerem (VP, Konga Health), the top 64 entries were shortlisted.
The competition, which recorded over 65,000 public votes, eventually expanded beyond its initial structure to accommodate 28 finalists, underscoring the exceptional quality of submissions.
Participants competed across six categories: Educational, Original, Viral Video, Cleansing, Body Moisturising, and Let’s Get Creative. The award categories spanned the full spectrum of the CeraVe experience, from educational content to viral creativity.
The awards produced six grand prize winners. Three exceptional creators won the ultimate “CeraTicket,” an all-expenses-paid trip to France to experience the heart of global beauty: Perpetua Ugwuegede (Body Moisturising), Boluwatife Lawal (Educational Content), and Iyanuoluwa Sowemimo (Let’s Get Creative). Three winners received N2 Million worth of premium content creation gear: Beryl Inegbenose (Original Content), Precious Ernest (Cleansing), and Joseph Shaka Momodu (Viral Video). The 1st runners-up were each awarded N1 million, while several other participants walked away with N500,000 in consolation prizes and gifts.
The event also featured special Nollywood Recognition Awards presented to Funke Akindele and Uzor Arukwe for their outstanding contributions to the film industry, further cementing the intersection between beauty, storytelling, and entertainment.
Beyond the awards, CerAwards 2026 represents a broader shift in how beauty brands engage with consumers in Africa. Through its partnership with Konga Health, CeraVe has tapped into a robust commerce and distribution ecosystem that prioritises authenticity, accessibility, and customer trust.
For Konga Health, the success of CerAwards reinforces its position as a trusted gateway for premium beauty brands and a champion of Nigerian creativity. As the platform continues to expand its offerings and partnerships, it remains focused on delivering value that resonates with modern consumers.
Under the leadership of Yvonne Enwerem, VP of Konga Health, the platform has become the exclusive custodian of CeraVe’s brand integrity in the region, ensuring that consumers are protected from counterfeits while enjoying seamless access to world-class dermatological solutions.
Ultimately, CerAwards 2026 has not only celebrated excellence, it has redefined what is possible when global brands and local platforms work together.
Elon Musk’s X (formerly Twitter) has launched a new stand-alone messaging app on iOS devices, called XChat.
Elon Musk
This app will help users connect their existing X contacts for calling, chatting, and sharing files. This move shows how Musk’s previous idea of creating a single ‘everything app’ seems to shift to a different strategy now.
This newly launched app comes with features such as audio and video calling, text messaging, group chats, and file sharing.
Moreover, it features privacy-focused tools like disappearing messages, the option to delete and edit messages for everyone, and a feature that blocks screenshots.
Looking at these features, the XChat seems to take on WhatsApp and Messenger.
However, the tech firm said that the app has no tracking or ads.
In terms of privacy, X claimed that the instant messaging app is end-to-end encrypted and comes with a PIN.
This app is currently available to iOS users only, and more updates are expected in the near future, as teased by Benji Taylor, the X’s lead designer. The launch of this app reflects a shift in Musk’s strategy about turning X into an ‘everything’ app that will include payments, shopping, messaging, and more combined in one place.
However, the focus of xAI seems to be different now as the company seems to be developing several different apps instead of combining everything into one.
This approach may help X to reach users through their various services rather than a single platform.
While XChat focused on messaging currently, the tech firm is also reportedly testing a separate payments system, which is not available to the public so far.
More features and updates to the instant messaging app are likely to be arriving in the coming months as X continues to grow its ecosystem with more apps.
Technology Company, Globacom has unveiled two vibrant television commercials, “Road Trip” and “Department of Imagination,” reinforcing the telecommunications giant’s dedication to providing seamless, reliable connectivity for every lifestyle.
These engaging campaigns illustrate how Glo remains an essential partner in both our daily routines and our boldest future aspirations.
“Road Trip” captures a relatable family adventure filled with laughter and authentic moments. The story follows Toyin Abraham Ajeyemi as she experiences the frustration of poor signal—only to find that switching to Glo transforms the experience instantly. Whether it’s navigation, downloading content, or staying entertained, the difference is clear with Glo, which ensures you stay connected no matter where the road takes you.
Starring alongside Toyin Abraham Ajeyemi, the commercial featured Bolaji Ogunmola and others and their combination brought the best out of the TVC.
Users can easily access data plans by dialling *312#, ensuring smooth, uninterrupted service on the go.
Department, on the other hand transports viewers to a futuristic landscape where technology bridges the gap between creativity and reality.
Guided by the renowned Richard Mofe-Damijo (The Professor), the story explores how powerful ideas turn into extraordinary experiences. It showcases a smarter, more dynamic world—from real-time gaming to advanced culinary processes demonstrated by Hilda Baci and creative tech integration by Bamike Adenibuyan (Bam-Bam).
The unique feature of the story is each scene serving as a testament to how Glo is actively shaping a future where technological possibilities are infinite.
The Glo’s latest commercials carry a unified, powerful message: The future is here, and it is powered by Glo.
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