Telecom
IHS Partners LSI to Deepen STEM in Schools with Global Educators Program
Telecommunications infrastructure provider, IHS has expressed commitment to advancement of Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) through the Global Educators Program.
Global Educators Program is one-year sponsored training on STEM and space education of secondary school teachers, hosted in the United States and partially in Nigeria.
The program is sponsored by IHS Nigeria in collaboration with Limitless Space Institute (LSI).
The ten beneficiaries, selected from various regions across Nigeria, were hosted at a roundtable event in Lagos recently organized by IHS Nigeria and LSI.
The program, a ground-breaking initiative aimed at providing professional development in STEM fields tied to space exploration, seeks to inspire both educators and students while enhancing STEM learning experiences.
Speaking on behalf of IHS Nigeria, Mohamad Darwish, Chief Executive Officer commended the teachers for their commitment to advancing STEM education. He pledged IHS Nigeria’s ongoing support for initiatives that train more teachers and students in STEM and space science education.
In addition, Dapo Otunla, Chief Corporate Services Officer at IHS Nigeria, expressed his pride in the program’s success.
“For us, education and economic growth are key pillars of our sustainability program, with the mind as the foundation for all progress,” he said. “IHS has been deeply involved in educational initiatives, especially in STEM, as we are fundamentally a company of engineers. Partnering with LSI aligns perfectly with our Mission T program, which promotes STEM education.”
Otunla highlighted that IHS Nigeria, which started operations in 2001, has invested in technology innovation hubs, such as those in Alimosho, Lagos State, and Ogbomosho, Oyo State, to support education and technology advancement across Nigeria.
Also speaking at the event, Kaci Heinz, LSI’s Executive Director, disclosed that over 200 teachers from public schools across Nigeria applied for the program, with only ten ultimately selected to join an additional ten teachers from Brazil for the year-long training.
“By connecting STEM education with the captivating subject of space, we aim to inspire both educators and students while simultaneously enhancing STEM learning experiences,” explained Heinz.
“These teachers are expected to return and impart the knowledge gained to their students, nurturing a new generation of interest in STEM education.”
Beneficiaries’ Share Experiences
The ten beneficiaries, who shared their experiences at the event, expressed immense gratitude for the opportunity provided by IHS Nigeria and LSI.
Maranatha Haa, a Chemistry teacher from Federal Government College, Jos, noted, “This program has introduced me to the exciting possibilities of space science and the importance of collaboration across borders. I’m eager to share what I’ve learned with my students and fellow educators.”
Mr. Olayinka Adeoshun, from Ilupeju Junior Grammar School, Lagos, shared, “The training has exposed me to what I could never have imagined in space science. My students are now more motivated than ever in space technology education. We’ve even established a virtual knowledge exchange program with the Space Institute in Houston.”
Blessing Akila, from ECWA Secondary School, Makurdi, expressed her excitement about the program’s impact on her teaching approach. “One of the subjects we were taught was Geometric and Space, which has helped simplify mathematics for my students, many of whom previously had a phobia for the subject. I want to thank IHS and LSI for this life-changing opportunity.”
Other beneficiaries who shared their experiences included Oluwabanke Adewusi from Itire Community Senior Secondary School, Lagos; Joshua James from Greenpath Preparatory School, Abuja; Soji Megbowon from Ifesowapo Aboru Senior Secondary School, Lagos; Ngobiri Abraham from Federal Government College, Enugu; Wahab Abubakar from Sango Senior Secondary School, Ilorin; Kayode Adewale from Odu’a Comprehensive High School, Ijebu Ode; and Rashidat Ademosu from Eva Adelaja Girls Junior Secondary School, Lagos.
Nigeria’s telecom operators recorded 155, 397 fibre-cut incidents between April and May 2026, and these they blame on why internet or calls suddenly stop working.
Data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) showed fibre-cut incidents increased from 74 276 in April to a record 79 121 in May, bringing the two-month total to the highest level recorded by the industry.
This represents a 2 428% increase from the 5 934 incidents reported during the first quarter of 2026.
Vandalism remained the leading cause of fibre cuts, accounting for more than 54 000 incidents despite telecom infrastructure being designated as Critical National Information Infrastructure, a classification intended to strengthen protection of key digital assets.
Also road construction constantly damages fiber where iggers and machines tear up buried cables during road repairs or construction.
Even with all these, some state governments make it hard for companies to fix cables quickly across different areas with all manners of fees and levies.
The NCC designation provides for penalties of up to 10 years’ imprisonment for offenders, but operators continue to face widespread infrastructure damage.
Proposed solutions, including Nigeria’s Dig-Once policy and AI-powered fibre sensing technologies, have yet to achieve widespread adoption.
The NCC is developing a cost-based framework for shared underground duct infrastructure, while operators are exploring AI-powered fibre sensing technologies that can detect cable damage in real time and improve network resilience.
Nigeria is pursuing ambitious broadband targets under its National Broadband Plan and has expanded fibre deployment to about 35 000 kilometres.
However, infrastructure protection has not kept pace with network expansion, leaving subscribers vulnerable to unreliable connectivity despite continued operator investment.
Standard Bank has partnered with Helios Towers to provide a $29 million Social Documentary Credit Facility. According to the financial services company, this transaction marks Standard Bank’s first Documentary Credit Facility structured in a Sustainable Finance format.
It notes that the facility will support the procurement and importation of telecommunications infrastructure and related services across Africa.
It will also provide payment certainty to suppliers, while supporting Helios Towers’ working capital requirements and infrastructure expansion programme, the bank adds.
Structured in accordance with the Loan Market Association’s Social Loan Principles, the financing is designed to promote digital connectivity and telecommunications infrastructure development in underserved markets.
This will help Helios Towers further expand its footprint and enhance mobile network coverage and connectivity across the continent.
Helios Towers operates one of Africa’s independent telecommunications tower platforms, enabling mobile network operators to extend coverage across multiple markets.
Standard Bank notes that the facility supports the expansion of tower infrastructure and services, increased network densification and improved connectivity in underserved markets and remote regions across the African continent.
It will also drive digital inclusion and tackle the digital divide while supporting economic growth and socio-economic development.
“This transaction demonstrates the power of innovation in trade finance. By combining a first-to-market Social Documentary Credit Facility with a cross-border funding solution, Standard Bank has supported Helios Towers’ growth ambitions while helping extend digital connectivity to underserved communities across Africa,” says Benoit Samouilhan, global transaction banker at Standard Bank Corporate and Investment Banking.
According to the bank, this facility enables positive social impact by increasing and improving network coverage and connectivity in some of the world’s most remote regions.
“Reliable digital infrastructure is fundamental to Africa’s future growth and development,” says Alex Carter, group finance director at Helios Towers.
“This facility provides us with the flexibility and certainty needed to support our ongoing infrastructure investments while advancing our mission of expanding connectivity across the continent. We value our longstanding relationship with Standard Bank and look forward to building on this partnership.”
Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) will on Thursday convene a stakeholders’ consultative forum to review the draft business rules for Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) in Nigeria.
NCC
The forum, scheduled to hold at 10 a.m. at the NCC Annex Office, Mbora, Abuja, is expected to bring together telecommunications operators, industry associations and other stakeholders to provide input on the proposed regulatory framework before its finalisation.
The commission announced the event on its official social media platforms, inviting interested stakeholders to participate in the consultation process.
The engagement is part of the NCC’s efforts to strengthen the regulatory framework for MVNO operations and promote greater competition, innovation and consumer choice in Nigeria’s telecommunications sector.
Mobile Virtual Network Operators are telecommunications service providers that offer mobile services by leasing network capacity from licensed Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), rather than owning spectrum licences or telecommunications infrastructure.
The NCC has identified the MVNO licensing framework as one of its initiatives aimed at deepening competition, expanding access to telecommunications services and driving digital inclusion across the country.
The consultative forum is expected to provide stakeholders with the opportunity to review the draft business rules, make recommendations and contribute to the development of a robust operational framework for the emerging MVNO segment.
The commission is expected to issue further details on the outcome of the consultation after the meeting.
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