Telecom
Telecommunications industry has become a victim of its own success – ALTON Chairman, Gbenga Adebayo laments
Gbenga Adebayo, Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators in Nigeria (ALTON) has called for regulatory reforms within the country’s telecommunications sector, to alleviate the burden on operators and attract investments for industry growth.
Recently, Financial Derivatives Company hosted a telecoms investment forum tagged “Telecom Industry 2.0 – The Next Investment Frontier in Africa”, an event aimed at creating awareness on the current state of the telecommunications industry in Nigeria and opportunities for growth within the sector.
The hybrid event had key stakeholders within the telecommunications sector engage in thought provoking panel discussions on the challenges Nigeria’s telecoms industry is faced with and possible ways forward.
Amongst these key industry players were Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Exchange Group, Temi Popoola; Chief Executive Officer, MTN Nigeria, Karl Toriola; Chief Executive Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Carl Cruz and Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators in Nigeria (ALTON), Gbenga Adebayo.
During the interactive panel session, the chairman of ALTON, Gbenga Adebayo, spoke on how the growth of Nigeria’s telecommunications industry has, ironically, resulted in some negative impact on the sector, with individuals, corporate bodies and government agencies viewing the sector as a “cash cow”. “I think the telecommunications industry has become a victim of its own success. Due to the transition and improvement, it has experienced over the years, the telecoms sector is now seen as a major source of income for the government on various levels”.
Gbenga Adebayo went further to air grievances on the multiple taxes imposed on the industry operators and the need for the government to curb the excesses of its parastatals. He cited these numerous taxes as detrimental to the progress of operations within the sector.
“There are 54 different taxes and levies imposed on the telecoms industry in Nigeria. With this trend, the sustainability of the sector cannot be guaranteed” he said.
The ALTON chairman opined that the stringent policies guiding the telecommunications industry have made it unattractive for investors.
He stated that this is a disadvantage to the sector, as investments are a catalyst for the sector’s growth, and urged the government to implement changes that would make the industry investor friendly. “The steps taken by public actors appear to be a disincentive to investment in the industry. The government needs to be more receptive to foreign investment”.
In addition, Gbenga Adebayo cited the decline in the services rendered by telcos due to the high operational costs and lack of investment in infrastructure.
According to him, the operations of these major MNOs cannot be optimal as there is a lack of adequate infrastructure, but an ever-growing demand to meet. He added that the high cost of energy has made it even more difficult for operators to efficiently power their facilities.
With the rising cost of operations, high inflation rates and other economic challenges Nigeria is presently faced with, it has become necessary for various strategies and policy reforms to be implemented within the telecommunications industry, to spur growth and prevent further decline.
With the introduction of Travel Saga, a premium, fast-paced gaming experience that is currently live and accessible to customers on its network, Globacom has lifted the bar for mobile entertainment in the country.
Travel Saga is a story-driven, intricately connected role-playing game designed to provide the thrill, complexity, and competitive intensity of some of the most well-known action games in the world.
The game, which has been painstakingly optimized for mobile devices, redefines mobile gaming as a full-fledged digital battlefield by translating a console-grade experience onto data-enabled handsets.
Fundamentally, Travel Saga takes users on quick virtual journeys against recognizable international landscapes. In a dynamic, ever-evolving gaming environment, players are thrown into furious missions, fierce fights, and ever-expanding tales where talent, strategy, and endurance determine who rises through the ranks to become a true war hero.
In addition to the excitement of fighting, users are encouraged to go to various locations, take part in thrilling challenges, and participate in intense competition for in-app rewards like points and victory badges. With each encounter and accomplishment, the immersion increases with each level, maintaining momentum and excitement.
Flexible subscription plans with one-time or auto-renewal choices are available to subscribers for the service, which costs ₦100 per day and ₦250 per week. By dialing *70021#, customers can quickly subscribe and gain instant access to the action.
With Travel Saga, Glo reaffirms its dedication to innovation and high-end digital experiences, making top-notch gaming easily accessible to its customers. The game offers uninterrupted action, adventure, and competition, all smoothly supported by the Glo network.
SHELT, a leading cybersecurity-as-a-service provider, has earned inclusion in the 2025 MSSP 250, the annual ranking of the world’s top 250 Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs) by MSSP Alert, a CyberRisk Alliance publication.
SHELT
The list evaluates firms on business performance, service breadth, and industry impact, spotlighting those excelling in growth, operational excellence, and advanced managed security amid rising cyber threats. Selection criteria include annual recurring revenue, profitability, workforce expansion, business growth, and the depth of managed security offerings.
SHELT’s recognition underscores its investments in scalable security operations, threat intelligence, and tailored managed services across multiple regions, enabling clients to navigate complex risk landscapes effectively.
“Being recognised in the MSSP 250 is a meaningful milestone for our team,” stated Youssef Abillama, CEO of SHELT. “It validates our focus on building practical, resilient security services that help organisations manage risk and respond effectively to today’s evolving cyber threats.”
The company hailed the honour as testament to its teams’ dedication and expertise worldwide, reaffirming commitment to enhancing capabilities and delivering trusted cybersecurity solutions.
Meta Platforms, owner of Facebook, has appointed Dina Powell McCormick, a former adviser to President Donald Trump, as its new president and vice chairman, bolstering its leadership amid aggressive AI and infrastructure expansion.
Dina Powell McCormick
The announcement, made on Monday, positions Powell McCormick – who recently stepped down from Meta’s board after eight months – to guide overall strategy, including multi-billion-dollar investments in data centres and global partnerships.
A Goldman Sachs veteran with 16 years in senior roles and prior stints as deputy national security adviser under Trump and in the Bush administration, she brings deep finance and international ties to the role.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg hailed her as “uniquely qualified” for the company’s next growth phase, while President Trump praised the move on Truth Social as a “fantastic choice”.
The hire signals Meta’s efforts to strengthen White House relations, following recent dinners with Trump and U.S. investment pledges worth hundreds of billions
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