Telecom
Mart Networks Rallies Stakeholders to Deepen Commitment in Nigeria’s Tech Ecosystem
Mart Networks Group, a global value-added IT distributor, on Thursday convoked an international stakeholders conference for its partners and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) geared towards empowering local partners with the necessary skills and support that would ensure the successful implementation of its solutions in the Nigerian market.
L-R: Alex Nderitu, System Engineer, Roijie Networks; Peryan Aydas, Channel Manager, Mitel; Moiz Malooo Managing Director, Mart Networks Group; and Motunrayo Adigun, Sophos Product Manager, Mart Networks at the Stakeholders Conference tagged “Delivering Tomorrow’s Technology, Today” organised by Mart Networks Group in Lagos on Thursday.
Moiz Maloo, Managing Director of Mart Networks, speaking at the conference themed: “Delivering Tomorrow’s Technology, Today” reiterated the company’s focus on local talent development, technology transfer, and empowering Nigerian businesses with a comprehensive range of infrastructure and cybersecurity solutions.
The event held at Radisson Blu Hotel, Lagos highlighted the company’s dedication in knowledge transfer as well as showcasing its comprehensive solutions tailored to the Nigerian market.
Maloo emphasized the global nature of the business, with team members traveling from Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa to engage with local partners and discuss the latest in technology offerings.
Operating in 10 countries, Mart Networks established its Nigerian base in 2013, focusing on the distribution of a wide array of technological infrastructure.
Maloo explained, “We sell various technologies, including data centre infrastructure, networking, cybersecurity, cloud solutions, and cloud solution training,” adding that the company also offers cutting-edge services such as compute, storage, hyper-converged infrastructure, video collaboration, and unified communication.
The event, aimed at strengthening relationships with local partners, saw product managers and technical engineers from across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa sharing their expertise, with these professionals providing insights into Mart Networks’ diverse product portfolio and its application in the Nigerian market.
“Our goal with this event is to showcase the full range of solutions we provide,” Maloo noted. “By sharing knowledge with local system integrators, we empower them to deliver even greater value to their customers in Nigeria.”
With a strong presence in Nigeria for over a decade, Mart Networks is reinforcing its role as a key enabler of digital transformation, offering essential tools and training to help Nigerian businesses thrive in the technology-driven future.
Maloo who reiterated the company’s commitment to technology transfer and local talent development as it continues to expand in Nigeria, highlighted the company’s investment in knowledge transfer and training, emphasizing the importance of understanding the products they sell and the local markets they operate in.
“We believe strongly in knowledge transfer. If you don’t know what you’re selling or how to use it, it’s very hard to implement, especially on our continent. That’s why we invest heavily in training and building a strong technical team to support our local partners,” Maloo said.
He stated that Mart Networks takes pride in being a Pan-African distributor, unlike many competitors that bring in talent from outside the region.
“We understand the culture and business here. Our entire team in Nigeria is Nigerian, just like in Kenya, Tanzania, and wherever we operate. We focus on nurturing local talent and adding value to the market.”
Despite the volatility of the Nigerian naira, which has been a challenge for many businesses, Mart Networks has adapted through strategic planning and partnerships.
As an importer of technology—mainly hardware not manufactured locally—the company has worked closely with banking partners to hedge against currency fluctuations. “We plan better, speak to our banking partners, and hedge funds to ensure we have access to dollars,” Maloo explained.
Reflecting on Mart Networks’ 11-year presence in Nigeria, Maloo noted the company’s steady growth since its entry into the market in 2013. “We’ve grown year on year, despite challenges, including the pandemic.
“Over the last 18 to 24 months, we have restructured, invested in more resources, and have faith in the Nigerian market,” he said, adding that comparing the first nine months of 2023 with the same period in 2022, the company has already seen growth, and Maloo is optimistic about the future.
“Nigeria is a very promising market with great potential. If the naira stabilizes further, the economy could be even stronger. We’re committed to being a part of that growth and continue investing in the market and its talent,” he said.
With a focus on empowering local partners, Mart Networks is poised for further expansion, helping to shape the future of IT infrastructure in Nigeria and beyond.
Meanwhile, IT Horizons, a leading IT systems integration company, has commended Mart Networks Group for its consistent support and long-standing partnership over the years.
Speaking at Mart Networks’ conference in Lagos, Stephen Asishana, Head of Sales and Business Development at IT Horizons, highlighted the crucial role Mart Networks has played in the company’s success since its inception 12 years ago.
“When we started on this journey, Mart Networks was one of the distributors that supported us, ensuring products were available at the right time, helping us fulfill our customers’ needs quickly,” said Asishana. “Our relationship has grown over the years as Mart Networks has expanded its portfolio, adding more brands, OEMs, and solutions. It’s truly a win-win relationship.”
Asishana who lauded the company’s commitment to engaging with its partners, not just through large-scale events like this, but with continuous interaction throughout the year, described the event as a key feature of Mart Networks’ annual calendar, which brings together local partners to showcase the distributor’s latest offerings.
“Mart Networks does this annually, but the great thing is that it’s not just a one-off. They stay in touch with partners throughout the year, constantly engaging us and providing insights into their products and services,” he added. “This event helps us as partners learn about the solutions they distribute, so we can pass that knowledge on to our customers.”
Asishana emphasized the significance of attending such events, noting that IT Horizons stands to benefit greatly by staying updated on the latest technological innovations. “Technology is always evolving, and events like this keep us informed about the latest trends. For us at IT Horizons, it opens our eyes to new possibilities, helping us identify solutions that can address the challenges faced by our customers.”
As the event progresses, IT Horizons expects to continue gaining valuable insights into cutting-edge technologies that can enhance their service offerings. “We know our customers’ pain points, and this event helps us discover solutions that can effectively address them,” Asishana concluded.
With a solid partnership and continued collaboration, IT Horizons and Mart Networks are poised to drive further innovation and deliver greater value to businesses across Nigeria.
In a related development, Sophos, a global leader in cybersecurity, has commended its long-standing partnership with Mart Networks Group during the distributor’s annual event, “Mart Day,” which brings together key partners, OEMs, and end users from across West Africa.
Sandra Nnadozie, Channel Account Manager for West Africa at Sophos, highlighted the importance of the event as an opportunity to strengthen relationships and showcase cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions.
“Mart Networks is our distributor in West Africa, covering Nigeria, Ghana, and other regions,” Nnadozie said. “Today’s event is a chance for us to meet with our partners and end customers, celebrate with Mart Networks, and continue building on the solid foundation we’ve developed over many years.”
Sophos’ relationship with Mart Networks spans well over a decade, not just in West Africa, but also in regions like East Africa and the UK. “We’ve had a very cordial relationship, working together for more than 15 to 20 years. It’s like family. The partnership continues to grow stronger year after year,” she added.
Nnadozie emphasized that the primary goal for Sophos at the event was to further solidify its relationship with Mart Networks while also promoting the importance of cybersecurity. “We’re here to spread the ‘gospel of cybersecurity.’ The future of cybersecurity lies in Managed Detection and Response (MDR), which helps organizations manage their cybersecurity infrastructure, especially in the absence of a dedicated security team,” she explained.
As organizations face increasing cyber threats, Sophos is focused on educating businesses about advanced cybersecurity solutions like MDR to prevent data breaches and security lapses.
Sophos’ presence at the event underscores its commitment to helping businesses in West Africa safeguard their operations against evolving cyber threats while reinforcing its partnership with Mart Networks. “We are here to show that we stand strongly beside them,” Nnadozie concluded.
With cybersecurity becoming an increasingly critical concern across industries, Sophos and Mart Networks continue to work together to provide comprehensive solutions, ensuring that businesses in West Africa are better equipped to defend against the threats of tomorrow.
Telecom operators in Nigeria recorded a sharp decline of 33,153,633 subscribers in three years (May 2023 – April 2026), according to the Nigerian Communications Commission’s (NCC) latest industry statistics.
According to the telecom industry statistics, the figure showed that 4,270,285 of mobile subscribers were lost between May 2023 (220,931,688) and April 2024 (216,661,403), while the sector had repeat of the negative record with a huge drop of 46,338,623 subscribers between May 2024 (219,005,878) and April 2025 (172,667,255).
There was a significant positive increase between May 2025 (172,474,626) and April 2026 with 187,778,055 subscribers as of the latest figure issued by NCC.
The period recorded a huge increase of 15,303,429 subscribers.
In May 2023, when the current government came into power, the telecom sector had 220,931,688 subscribers. But as at April 2026 which marks exactly three years, the sector has a record of 187,778,055 subscribers.
This indicates a decline of 33,153,633 subscribers during the period under review.
Overall, according to the NCC’s figures, MTN, the largest operator with a subscriber figure of 88,675,062 as at April 2023, was a major factor in the statistics.
It gained 7,716,357 subscribers during the period under review which currently pulls 96,391,419 subscribers as at April 2026, while Airtel which had 60,331,845 subscribers in April 2023 recorded an increase of 4,338,173 subscribers, bringing its current subscriber base to 64,670,018.
On the flip side, Glo, which was trailing MTN with an impressive figure of 60,927,963 subscribers, suffered a massive loss of 37,749,366 subscribers. The development reduced its figure to 23,178,597 it currently has.
In the same vein, T2 (formerly 9mobile) which was accommodating 13,403,345 subscribers in May 2023, lost 9,865,324 subscribers.
The network, according to NCC’s April 2026 statistics, has only 3,538,021 subscribers on its base.
Despite the sharp decline recorded in the period, market stability has slowly returned.
Latest NCC figures indicate that by early 2026, telcos had started recovering lost ground, even rolling out large-scale compensation programmes to over 75 million customers due to poor network quality.
The reduction in the telcos’ active subscriptions between 2023 and 2026 can be attributed to the disconnection of SIMs that were not linked with the National Identification Number (NIN) as mandated by the government.
The development resulted in the decline of subscriptions for mobile services in the country.
During the period which witnessed the impact of foreign exchange (FX) unification and the removal of the premium motor spirit subsidy, the biting economic pressures reduced consumer purchasing power which led many Nigerians to give up multiple or redundant SIM cards to cut back on monthly data costs.
The service providers lost most subscribers as a result of the Federal Government, through the industry regulator, relevant agencies and institutions like banks which came up with poicies that demanded Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) updates and verifications. A change in the minimum age requirement for SIM registration (from 16 to 18 years) also contributed to a decline in gross new connections.
During the period, the industry regulator, NCC, issued new guidelines to telecommunication companies, directing them to deactivate phone lines unused for six consecutive months for Revenue Generating Event (RGE).
The new rule took a toll on the telecom operators, as many subscribers who are using more than one phone line could not be able to retain the others due to the harsh economic environment of the country.
According to the regulator, “A subscriber line may be deactivated if it has not been used, within six months, for a Revenue Generating Event (RGE), and if the situation persists for another six months, the subscribers may lose their numbers, except for a network-related fault inhibiting an RGE.”
It is common knowledge that some Nigerians are migrating to other countries of the world, and most of them may likely not continue to use their Nigerian networks’ SIM either voluntarily or perhaps any policy that needs revalidation comes up.
There was also a standing order for those who had issue(s) with their SIM cards, as the National Identity Number (NIN) in the registration of Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards by all mobile telecommunication network operators was mandatory.
The development undoubtedly interrupted the growth trend of telecom subscribers as indicated in the three years’ statistics by NCC.
Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has launched its maiden Women in Leadership Programme aimed at empowering female professionals and strengthening leadership development across Nigeria’s telecommunications and technology sector.
The initiative, unveiled during an event in Abuja, is designed to provide mentorship opportunities for emerging female professionals by connecting them with experienced women leaders within the Commission and the broader telecommunications industry.
Speaking at the launch, Dr Aminu Maida, executive vice-chairman of the NCC, highlighted the significant contributions women have made to the Commission, noting that they continue to excel in strategic leadership positions and play a vital role in driving the organisation’s success.
According to him, women currently head several critical departments within the Commission, including Legal Services, Information Technology, Procurement, Public Affairs, Consumer Affairs and Internal Audit, demonstrating both competence and effective leadership.
Dr Maida explained that the Women in Leadership Programme was conceived to inspire younger female professionals to aspire to senior management and executive positions by learning directly from accomplished women who have excelled in their careers.
“We have a lot of very strong women. Not only are they in positions of authority, but they also deliver. This event is needed to encourage the younger women to aspire to reach the top level of their careers,” he said.
The NCC boss also acknowledged the unique challenges women face in balancing professional responsibilities with family commitments. He commended their resilience, dedication and ability to deliver results despite these competing demands, stressing that their efforts deserve recognition and support.
Delivering the keynote address, Maryam Idris, managing director of NNPC Trading Company, urged women to deliberately invest in their personal and professional development by acquiring relevant skills, building competence and embracing lifelong learning.
She advised female professionals to confidently communicate their achievements while maintaining integrity throughout their careers, noting that technical expertise alone may not be sufficient for career advancement.
“Build your competence. Read, manage your career, find mentors and sponsors, and continue building your capacity. What you know is something nobody can take away from you,” Idris said.
Also speaking at the event, Rimini Makama, executive commissioner for Stakeholder Management, described the mentorship initiative as a strategic effort to institutionalise leadership development for women within the Commission.
She explained that the programme would establish a sustainable network of accomplished female leaders who would mentor younger professionals, ensuring that leadership development remains a continuous process beyond the tenure of individual office holders.
Makama noted that the Commission already enjoys substantial female representation in leadership positions and intends to build on that progress by preparing more women to assume strategic responsibilities in the future.
The Women in Leadership Programme underscores the NCC’s commitment to promoting gender inclusion, nurturing female talent and creating a stronger pipeline of women leaders capable of driving innovation and sustainable growth in Nigeria’s telecommunications sector.
National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening youth online safety and digital literacy through strategic collaboration with Meta, as part of broader efforts to build a digitally inclusive economy and enhance trust in Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.
Group photo of Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande (left), Head of Public Policy, Anglophone West Africa Connectivity and Innovation Policy Manager, Meta Africa, Mrs Sola Dada (middle) and DG NITDA’s rep, Ag. Director, DLCB department, Dr Ahmed Tambuwal at the event
This commitment was reiterated by the Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, during the Youth Safety Summit organised by Meta at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.
The Summit convened stakeholders from government, industry, civil society organisations, and the education sector to advance collaborative efforts aimed at ensuring young Nigerians enjoy safe, age-appropriate, and positive online experiences.
A major highlight of the event was the launch of the Youth Online Safety Campaign and My Digital World (MDW) 2.0, initiatives developed by Meta in partnership with NITDA and the Federal Ministry of Youth Development.
Represented by the Acting Director of Digital Literacy and Capacity Building Department, Dr Ahmed Tambuwal, the NITDA DG noted that the Agency’s collaboration with Meta aligns strongly with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly the priority areas of Reforming the Economy for Sustained Inclusive Growth and Strengthening National Security through robust cybersecurity measures that enhance digital trust and confidence.
He explained that building a digitally skilled population capable of safely navigating the online environment is fundamental to unlocking innovation, entrepreneurship, job creation, and economic opportunities in the digital age.
Speaking on the significance of the Summit’s theme, “Advancing Youth Online Safety Through Collaborative Action,” Inuwa stressed that protecting young people online requires collective responsibility from all stakeholders.
“Today’s theme is both timely and compelling. It reminds us that while digital technologies have created unprecedented opportunities for learning, innovation, entrepreneurship, and social connection, ensuring that young people can benefit from these opportunities safely is a shared responsibility,” he said.
The DG emphasised that digital literacy cannot be separated from online safety, noting that the ability to use digital tools must be accompanied by the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the digital space responsibly.
“At NITDA, we believe that digital literacy and online safety are inseparable. Equipping citizens with digital skills without teaching them how to navigate the digital world safely, responsibly, and ethically would leave our work incomplete,” he stated.
According to him, this philosophy is embedded in NITDA’s National Digital Literacy Framework (NDLF) and the Agency’s flagship Digital Literacy for All (DL4ALL) initiative, through which it aims to achieve 70 per cent digital literacy by 2027 and 95 per cent by 2030.
He further disclosed that online safety, digital citizenship, privacy, digital wellbeing, critical thinking, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) literacy have become core competencies within the framework.
“Within this framework, online safety, digital citizenship, privacy, digital wellbeing, critical thinking and, increasingly, Artificial Intelligence literacy are treated not as optional topics, but as essential competencies for every Nigerian,“ he noted.
The DG highlighted the growing partnership between NITDA and Meta, describing it as a model for effective public-private collaboration in driving Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda.
Over the past year, both organisations jointly implemented the Youth Online Safety and Wellbeing Campaign, which reached more than 94 million people and generated over 216 million impressions across Facebook and Instagram. The campaign provided millions of Nigerians with practical guidance on online safety, privacy protection, digital wellbeing, and responsible internet use.
The partnership also extended to activities marking Safer Internet Day, where members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) were engaged and empowered to become advocates of responsible digital behaviour within their communities. More recently, both organisations reaffirmed their commitment to advancing Nigeria’s digital economy through innovation and inclusion at the Nigeria Digital Economy Forum.
While expressing optimism about the launch of My Digital World 2.0 and describing it as a strategic platform, Inuwa said, “We believe MDW 2.0 presents an excellent opportunity to institutionalise online safety education within Nigeria’s broader digital literacy ecosystem.”
He revealed that NITDA intends to integrate the programme into its teacher capacity-building initiatives, strengthen the resources available to its nationwide network of Digital Literacy Champions, and expand awareness campaigns through partnerships with state governments, traditional institutions, faith-based organisations, and community stakeholders.
According to him, ensuring children’s safety online requires more than secure platforms; it requires informed families, empowered educators, and digitally aware communities.
“Our shared ambition should be to ensure that every Nigerian child is supported not only by safer digital platforms, but also by informed parents, empowered teachers, and digitally confident communities,” he remarked.
Describing the launch as a significant step forward, Inuwa said the initiative marks the beginning of a deeper partnership between government and industry aimed at preparing a new generation of Nigerians for the digital future.
“Today’s launch is more than the unveiling of another programme. It is the beginning of a deeper strategic collaboration between government and industry to build a generation of Nigerians who are digitally skilled, digitally responsible, and digitally resilient,“ he stated.
He reaffirmed NITDA’s commitment to working with Meta and other stakeholders to build a secure and inclusive digital ecosystem where innovation thrives, opportunities are accessible to all, and every Nigerian can participate confidently in the digital economy.
Also present at the event were the Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, and the Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim. Both ministers reaffirmed their ministries’ commitment to collaborating with relevant stakeholders to develop and implement policies that foster a safe, inclusive, and enabling digital environment, particularly for young Nigerians, to navigate the internet responsibly and securely.
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