Telecom
FG Plans to Invest $460m World Bank Loan in Fibre Infrastructure
Federal Government plans to channel $460m World bank loan, representing about 92 per cent of a $500m, into the proposed fibre infrastructure company set up to deploy 90,000 kilometres of climate-resilient broadband fibre across the country.
This is contained in the Financing Agreement for the Building Resilient Digital Infrastructure for Growth project between the Federal Government and the International Development Association, the concessional lending arm of the World Bank.
Under the agreement, the World Bank approved a $500m concessional credit to support Nigeria’s drive to expand access to high-quality and climate-resilient broadband internet in unserved and underserved areas.
Of this amount, $460m is earmarked specifically for equity financing and capitalisation of a new Project Company that will drive the fibre rollout. The remaining $40m will cover goods, works, consulting and non-consulting services, training, operating costs, and the refund of a preparation advance used to develop the project framework.
According to the document, the proposed Project Company will be established “as an independent, majority privately-owned and managed special purpose vehicle-joint venture with the objective of the deployment of 90,000 kilometres of climate-resilient fibre infrastructure following a phased approach, limited to provision of wholesale, open access services to licensed telecommunications operators, and management of associated investments, including the carrying out of preparatory activities and provision of transaction advisory services, and provision of equity financing in and capitalization of the Project Company.”
The Federal Government will participate in the company as a shareholder through the Ministry of Finance Incorporated, which manages the government’s investment interests. However, the agreement explicitly caps the government’s shareholding at a maximum of 49 per cent, ensuring that the company remains majority privately owned.
The $460m equity injection is broken into four tranches, tied to strict performance and operational milestones. The first tranche of $150m will be released once the Project Company is incorporated as a joint venture with private partners selected through a process acceptable to the World Bank, and after its memorandum, articles of association, and shareholding agreement are approved.
A second tranche of $100m will only be disbursed after the company adopts fiduciary and administrative procedures approved by the lender and completes at least 5,000 kilometres of fibre deployment. The third tranche of $100m is linked to the completion of an additional 20,000 kilometres of network construction.
The final tranche of $110m will be released after the company launches wholesale open-access services through a published reference offer and completes a further 40,000 kilometres of fibre deployment, bringing the total rollout to at least 65,000 kilometres before the final equity drawdown.
Once each tranche is withdrawn, the agreement requires that the funds be transferred to the Project Company’s dedicated account within five working days, showing the equity nature of the financing rather than traditional budgetary spending.
The project will be implemented under the oversight of the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, and the Federal Ministry of Finance will receive semi-annual progress updates.
A dedicated Project Implementation Unit will manage day-to-day execution, with overall financial management handled by the Federal Project Financial Management Department in the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation.
Beyond the fibre rollout, the project also includes technical assistance to federal government agencies to support the use of high-quality broadband in targeted areas, as well as funding for project management, monitoring and evaluation, environmental and social safeguards, grievance redress mechanisms and independent audits.
The agreement places strong emphasis on environmental and social standards, requiring compliance with an Environmental and Social Commitment Plan. It also mandates the establishment of an accessible grievance mechanism for affected communities and strict reporting obligations to the World Bank.
Telecom
VDT Communications Achieves Two Prestigious Certifications ISO /IEC 27001:2022, ISO/IEC 27032:2023 Reinforcing its Leadership in Broadband Service Provision
VDT Communications Limited, a provider of Enterprise communication solutions, is proud to announce that it has been awarded the ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Information Security Management System (ISMS) and ISO/IEC 27032:2023 Cybersecurity Management System certifications.
These prestigious certifications demonstrate VDT’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards of information security and cybersecurity, ensuring the protection of sensitive customer data and maintaining the trust of its clients.
These certifications are a testament to VDT’s dedication to implementing robust information security and cybersecurity measures, aligning with international best practices.
The ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification recognizes VDT’s ability to establish, implement, maintain, and continually improve its ISMS, ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of customer information. The ISO/IEC 27032:2023 certification highlights its commitment to protecting its customers’ information assets and preventing Cyber threats.
VDT Communications Limited has consistently demonstrated its commitment to excellence, previously earning and maintaining ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System and ISO 20000-1:2018 IT Service Management certifications. These certifications have enabled the company to deliver high-quality services, ensuring customer satisfaction and loyalty.
“We are thrilled to receive these two prestigious certifications, which reinforce our commitment to information security and cybersecurity. These certifications demonstrate our dedication to implementing robust security measures that ensure confidentiality, integrity and availability of customer data” said Engr. Abiodun Omoniyi, GMD of VDT Communications Limited.
The ISO/IEC 27001:2022 and ISO/IEC 27032:2023 certifications bring numerous benefits to VDT’s customers, including:
- Enhanced information security and cybersecurity posture
- Protection of sensitive customer data
- Compliance with international standards and regulations
- Improved risk management and incident response
- Increased trust and confidence in VDT’s services
“We are proud to serve our customers with the highest level of security and quality,” Bimbo Ikumariegbe, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of VDT. “These certifications demonstrate our commitment to excellence and our dedication to delivering innovative communication solutions that meet the evolving needs of our customers” – Olufemi Akinola, Head, Information Technology.
Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has issued a stern warning to content creators filming and sharing videos of unsuspecting citizens on social media, describing such practices as direct violations of citizens’ rights to informational self-determination.
NDPC
The Commission drew attention to individuals capturing pictures and footage of the general public without consent, breaching Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023 (NDP Act).
NDPC specifically flagged a content creator in Lagos State who films unsuspecting passersby at roadsides for a “reality show”. The Commission stressed that processing personal images in this manner demands explicit consent or a justifiable lawful basis under the NDP Act.
Preliminary investigations revealed no public or legitimate interest served by this “wilful invasion of privacy”. Data subjects, the Commission noted, have no reasonable expectation that their images would be captured and broadcast globally by an unknown individual.
National Commissioner/CEO Dr Vincent Olatunji has instructed social media platform owners—including TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), and Meta—to intensify enforcement of community guidelines to prevent harm from unlawful and unfair personal data processing.
Platforms failing to act promptly face sanctions under the NDP Act. Individual creators remain personally liable for violations, potentially facing criminal prosecution for infringing citizens’ and data subjects’ privacy rights.
The advisory was signed by Babatunde Bamigboye, Esq. CDPRP, Head of Legal, Enforcement and Regulations.
NDPC emphasised that abuse of rights under the guise of entertainment will not be tolerated, urging compliance to safeguard Nigerians’ data privacy in the digital age.
In celebration of International Women’s Day (IWD) 2026, Techeconomy, a leading business news platform in Nigeria, has unveiled its “100 Women Shaping the Future: Techeconomy Power List 2026,” recognizing exceptional women driving innovation, leadership, and impact across technology and the broader digital economy.
Techeconomy
The annual recognition spotlights women who are transforming industries through entrepreneurship, policy leadership, digital innovation, financial inclusion, media, education, and emerging technologies.
The initiative is part of Techeconomy’s commitment to promoting gender inclusion and highlighting female leadership shaping Africa’s technology ecosystem.
The Techeconomy IWD Power List features a diverse group of women, from corporate executives and startup founders to policymakers, ecosystem builders, and social innovators, whose work continues to influence the future of technology, business, and digital transformation in Nigeria and across Africa.
Speaking on the initiative, Joan Aimuengheuwa, the Managing Editor at Techeconomy, noted that the recognition goes beyond celebrating titles, focusing instead on impact, resilience, and the ability to shape the future through innovation and leadership.
According to her, “the women on the list represent different sectors including fintech, banking, healthcare, agriculture, education, communications, and the creative economy, demonstrating the growing role of women in advancing technology-driven development.
The unveiling aligns with the global celebration of International Women’s Day, which highlights the achievements of women and calls for accelerated progress toward gender equality. Across the world, the technology sector continues to push for greater female representation and leadership as part of efforts to build more inclusive digital economies.
Also speaking, Oluwatosin Aloba, the Brand Manager at Techeconomy, said: “Techeconomy IWD 2026 Power List is specially designed to inspire the next generation of female innovators and leaders by showcasing role models who are breaking barriers and redefining possibilities in the technology landscape.
“Techeconomy encouraged industry stakeholders, institutions, and the broader public to celebrate the achievements of these women while continuing to support policies, programs, and investments that expand opportunities for women in technology”, she added.
The full list of the “100 Women Shaping the Future: Techeconomy Power List 2026” is available on the Techeconomy website or visit: https://techeconomy.ng/techeconomy-iwd-2026-power-list-celebrates-100-women-shaping-the-future-of-tech/.
VDT Communications Achieves Two Prestigious Certifications ISO /IEC 27001:2022, ISO/IEC 27032:2023 Reinforcing its Leadership in Broadband Service Provision
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