Telecom
Mastercard, CEBIH Partner to Drive Cybersecurity in Nigeria
Mastercard hosts a first-of-its-kind Fraud and Cyber Security Forum in Lagos, Nigeria in partnership with the Committee of E-Banking Industry Heads for Nigeria (CeBIH). The forum which aims to overcome fraud and cybersecurity threats will hold annually in Nigeria.
The event covered the regional threat landscape based on Mastercard’s strategic threat intelligence data – a crucial move at a time when cybersecurity and fraud within Nigeria remain high.
The Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) found that 91% of fraudulent attacks were successful in 2020-2021, and the Anti-Corruption Agencies of Nigeria found that almost $18 billion is lost annually to illicit financial crimes.
The risks associated with digital payments and services remains on an upward trajectory and organizations are increasingly exposed to security threats that are pervasive, sophisticated and intelligent. It is essential that companies understand and manage this risk to ensure that they safeguard their customers and business operations.
In addition to fraud and financial crime, the sector is facing a rising tide of identity theft, ransomware and phishing attacks that require ongoing vigilance and a comprehensive security strategy.
“We are excited to host this ground-breaking Fraud and Cyber Security Forum in Nigeria,” said Ebehijie Momoh, Country Manager & Area Business Head, West Africa at Mastercard. “Cyber risk is one of the top risks faced by organizations today. With the increased adoption of digital services, new payment flows, and connected supply chains, it’s important that this risk is well understood and managed by organizations to protect themselves and their customers.”
The forum covered common attack methods used by cyber criminals, their motivations, and the assets they target. Attendees gained valuable insights into the regional cyber threat landscape, with a particular focus on the financial services sector, which has been one of the most heavily targeted industries in recent years.
They also showcased the latest fraud prevention techniques and tools, including Mastercard’s strategic threat intelligence data, which uses advanced analytics to identify potential threats in real-time.
This cutting-edge fraud detection solution includes the Decision Intelligence solution and provides rapid detection and prevention of fraudulent activities, reducing risk and enhancing customer service and account protection.
The Chairman, Committee of e-Business Industry Heads (CeBIH), Celestina Appeal called for collaboration among the payment ecosystem stakeholders for an effective fight against cyber-attacks.
She said: ‘’the subject of cyber-attacks deserves the utmost attention that the industry can muster, given the aggressiveness and non-relenting activities of perpetrators of cybercrimes who have become negatively innovative in the different ways and manners in which they deploy their schemes. We would like to call for concerted efforts to prevent continuous cybersecurity attacks.’’
The forum aligns with Mastercard’s goal of creating a secure and seamless payments environment and is aimed at empowering customers with the latest knowledge and tools to safeguard their businesses against cyber threats.
As part of its commitment to combating fraud, Mastercard is proud to sponsor the CeBIH Quarterly sessions, which will bring together industry experts to discuss the latest trends in fraud prevention and share best practices for protecting customers while promoting cyber security across Nigeria and beyond.
MTN Nigeria, in collaboration with ONErpm and Ultima Studios, has announced Ayodeji Benson, popularly known as Ayo Benzi, as the winner of the maiden edition of the Next Afrobeats Star reality show.
L-R: Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, Chief Marketing Officer, MTN Nigeria; Ayodeji Benson, Winner, Next Afrobeats Star Reality Show (Season 1) and Emamoke Ogoro, General Manager, Brand and Communication, MTN Nigeria, at the grand finale of the Next Afrobeats Star Reality Show (Season 1), held at the Ultima Studios, Lekki, Lagos on Saturday, December 13, 2025.
The grand finale, held on Sunday night at Ultima Studios in Lekki, Lagos, marked the climax of a nationwide talent search that began in September with over 15,000 aspiring musicians.
After weeks of auditions, mentorship, and rigorous training, five finalists – Ayo Benzi, Dave Cash, Kaeko, Somto O’Laker, and Lucky Yay – battled for the top prize in a high-energy showcase of performance and artistry.
At the end of the electrifying contest, Ayo Benzi emerged victorious, securing a ₦150 million music deal. Dave Cash was named first runner-up with ₦100 million, while Kaeko, Somto O’Laker, and Lucky Yay received ₦75 million, ₦50 million, and ₦25 million respectively.
Throughout the season, contestants were mentored by leading Afrobeats producers Sarz, Puffy Tee, P Prime, and Andre Vibez. Benzi, who was part of Puffy Tee’s team, credited the mentorship programme for sharpening his craft and stage presence.
Speaking at the event, Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, Chief Marketing Officer of MTN Nigeria, said the initiative reflects the company’s commitment to youth empowerment and cultural expression.
“The Next Afrobeats Star platform is about creating real opportunities for young Nigerians and giving their talent the structure, visibility, and support it deserves.
“Afrobeats continues to place Nigeria on the global cultural map, and MTN is proud to be enabling the next generation of artists who will take this sound even further,” she said.
She added that the finale was not just a competition but a celebration of growth and readiness for the global stage.
In his acceptance speech, Ayo Benzi described the victory as a defining moment in his career.
“A big thank you to MTN. From the audition days, the treatment MTN has given us has been amazing. God bless the brand,” he said.
The finale also featured guest performances by Afrobeats stars Iyanya and Bella Shmurda, adding glamour to the night and reinforcing the show’s connection to the wider music ecosystem.
With the successful conclusion of the season, MTN Nigeria and its partners reaffirmed their role in championing youth ambition, supporting creative industries, and shaping the future of Nigerian music through platforms that turn potential into opportunity.
T2, formerly known as 9mobile, is under investigation by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in Benue State for an undisclosed incident disrupting USSD, SMS, voice, and data services across nine local government areas.
T2
The affected areas include Ado, Agatu, Gwer East, Gwer West, Konshisha, Obi, Ohimini, Okpokwu, and Otukpo, as detailed in an advisory on the NCC Major Outages Portal, which tracks significant disruptions reported by Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and Internet Service Providers (ISPs).
Neither T2 nor its public relations firm, Chain Reactions, has responded to inquiries on the outage’s cause or restoration efforts as of this report.
The NCC’s continued reference to the operator as 9mobile, months after its public rebranding to T2 in August 2025, has sparked questions about whether the name change was formally notified to the regulator.
This probe aligns with NCC mandates requiring operators to disclose major outages, their impacts, and timelines for fixes, with compensation obligatory for disruptions exceeding 24 hours under the Consumer Code of Practice Regulations.
Industry watchers note that such incidents, often linked to fibre cuts, power failures, or infrastructure faults, underscore ongoing challenges in Nigeria’s telecoms sector, particularly amid T2’s subscriber losses post-rebrand. NCC vows transparency via its portal to hold operators accountable and protect consumers.
Telecom
NCC Unveils Draft 5-Year Spectrum Roadmap, 60 GHz License-Exempt Guidelines to Boost Broadband, Innovation
Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has unveiled two pivotal regulatory draft documents aimed at reshaping Nigeria’s communications sector over the next five years and fast-tracking deployment of ultra-high-speed wireless technologies.
NCC
In a public notice dated December 19, 2025, and issued pursuant to its mandate under the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003, the Commission published the Draft 5-Year Spectrum Roadmap for the Communications Sector (2025–2030) and Draft Guidelines for the Use of the 60 GHz License-Exempt Band for Multi-Gigabit Wireless Systems.
Both documents are accessible on the NCC website for stakeholder review, with the roadmap outlining strategic spectrum planning, allocation, and management to optimise utilisation, support emerging technologies like 5G and IoT, expand broadband access, and align with global best practices.
The Spectrum Roadmap emphasises four core pillars: bridging the digital divide through low-band spectrum and satellite services, attracting investments via flexible licensing models, enhancing service quality with mid-band optimisation, and fostering innovation in areas such as direct-to-device connectivity and secondary spectrum trading.
It sets ambitious targets including universal 4G coverage nationwide, 50 per cent 5G penetration in state capitals, and average broadband speeds of 100 Mbps by 2030, while addressing rising data demand through band refarming and efficient management.
Complementing this, the 60 GHz Guidelines establish a license-exempt framework for the 57–66 GHz band, enabling multi-gigabit speeds up to 10 Gbps for short-range applications like WiGig, fixed wireless access, enterprise connectivity, urban broadband, and backhaul solutions.
The rules mandate NCC type approval for equipment, site registration for outdoor use, and interference mitigation measures, while prohibiting wide-area networks to safeguard primary users.
In line with Section 58 of the NCA 2003, NCC invites comments from industry operators, equipment manufacturers, consumer groups, and the public, with submissions due by Friday, January 16, 2025, via email to [email protected], [email protected], and [email protected].
The notice, signed by Mrs Nnenna Ukoha, Head of Public Affairs, stresses that stakeholder inputs will refine the frameworks to drive innovation, investment, competition, and sustainable growth in Nigeria’s telecoms ecosystem.
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