Telecom
Ndukwe Lists Factors for Sustaining Telecom Growth
Ernest Ndukwe, executive vice chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, has listed the prerequisites for sustaining the successes recorded in the sector in the last ten years.
Engr. Ndukwe who spoke as guest speaker at the maiden edition of “Breakfast With ” , hosted by the alumni association of the School of Media and Communications at the Pan African University in Lagos, said such factors include a regulatory regime that is independent, transparent, and predictable; an updated national telecom policy and laws, a conducive operational environment; an efficient frequency spectrum management and allocation; improved power supply; expansion of the broadband infrastructure, capacity building of indigenous manpower, stable financial stability, among others.
At the breakfast meeting which held at the Ahmed Onibudo campus of the university and chaired by Professor Juan Elegido, the Vice Chancellor, the NCC boss noted that the successes recorded by the Commission in the past ten years is attributed to the successful sector reform, made possible by conducive environment with respect to policies and the regulatory regime.
“I think to sustain the growth, we must lay emphasis to a few things and I will start by advocating that we must maintain stability in the policy and regulatory environment”, he said. He said these two factors are critical for any investor to make an investment decision.
Engr. Ndukwe whose audience included Engr. Vincent Maduka, former director general of NTA, Professor Emevwo Biakolo, the dean of the School of Communications, Mr. Ben Egbuna, former director general of FRCN, Mr. Olukayode Olubunmi, president of SMCA, said the current telecom policy in Nigeria needs to be updated, while the forward-looking 2003 Act needs to be revisited to accommodate one or two emergent issues in the sector.
The NCC boss said with hindsight of experience, it is critical that the financial and operational independence of the regulator is maintained. “Why we moved as fast as we did over this period is as a result of fair amount of regulatory independence that the organization had”, he said. He said this independence is not just independence from the political hierarchy but also from the operating companies, which he said, makes financial independence very critical too.
He said it is not wrong for investors to make profit as it was government’s decision to invite the investors and without returns on such investments, perhaps, Nigeria’s paltry 400,000 lines in 2001 would not have grown to the more than 70 million active subscriber lines today. “Our focus should not only be that money is being made in the industry but that this decision of government has suddenly changed the landscape and provided phones in the hands of most
Nigerians, and provided telephone “access” because even if you do not own a phone, you will likely find a place to make calls near your location today”, he said.
Ndukwe said apart from efficient management of the frequency spectrum, the regulator must always ensure that frequencies are earmarked for new services are reserved in order to enable the country to be on same page with the rest of the world. He said this is the reason why Nigeria is quite active at the International Telecommunications Union, ITU, at the moment.
“I think also going forward, we must emphasize on growing broadband infrastructure, and not just growing it for the sake of it but catalyzing its adoption and usage, nationwide”, he said. He hoped that the ongoing optics fibre infrastructure deployment going on in the country will accelerate broadband Internet adoption and usage.
While relating this to his pet concept, Fibre Without Borders”, Engr. Ndukwe said “even within the African continent, we should encourage building of optic fibre that links the countries of Africa because that will help us do local peering of Internet, keep local networks linked to each other, reduce price of communicating within the countries in Africa and perhaps greatly increase broadband speed”.
He also noted that the much the nation is able to develop the manpower resources available for the industry will determine how the industry performs in the next ten years and beyond. He cited some countries like India that export such resources to other parts of the world. Ndukwe said the Digital Bridge Institute which was NCC’s contribution to this capacity budging requirement is currently waiting the approval of its application to the National University Commission, NUC, for approval as a university.
He said some areas that are external to the telecom industry but very critical for its success are the power sector and banking and finance sectors of the economy. He advocated for an idea regional management where each state of the federation will have the responsibility to generate and provide power to the state. He wondered why many countries that are less in geographical spread and population than any given state in Nigeria were able to enthrone uninterruptible power supply over the years.
Ndukwe who recalled his parts in the telecom industry as a private operator and President of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria before he joined the NCC, said he has had an interesting and fulfilling time.
“It’s been a big part of my life and I consider myself really opportune to be in this place at this time especially in the past ten years in seeing the telecom industry transform to what it is today.
“And obviously, in thinking about sustaining the growth also means that it is still work in progress and there is still much to be done despite the achievements we have been made so far”, he said.
Professor Elegido praised Engr. Ndukwe for the transformational work he had bequeathed to the Nigeria’s telecom industry, and the Nigerian nation in finding its feet in the committee of nations.
In an insightful assessment of governance standards across the continent, Mcebisi Jonas, chairman of MTN Group, has warned that Africa’s long-term economic redemption rests entirely on the independence and resilience of its core public institutions.
Speaking during the MTN’s The Y’ello Chair vodcast that debuted on August 2, 2026, the corporate titan asserted that fragile governance frameworks continue to destroy economic inclusion and starve the region of critical investments.
Jonas emphasised that building a sustainable economy requires deliberate structural effort rather than mere political promises.
According to him, Africa must consciously protect its public bodies from political interference if it ever hopes to build a globally competitive ecosystem.
Expressing deep worry over institutional decay, Jonas remarked, “You need to hardwire democracy, you need to hardwire economic growth, you need to hardwire economic inclusion. Institutions are central in that process… Once you rubbish your institutions, the country goes down the tube.”
Drawing on his own nation’s historical struggles, Jonas noted how South Africa narrowly averted a total systemic breakdown by protecting its judicial boundaries, though he cautioned that vigilance remains non-negotiable.
He observed that the ultimate test of any healthy democracy is whether a government can humbly submit to the rule of law. “There are few countries in the continent where [the] government goes to court and loses a case,” Jonas lamented, pinpointing judicial autonomy and impartial electoral commissions as the non-negotiable benchmarks of true institutional health.
Hard economic data strongly validates Jonas’s thesis. According to UNCTAD’s World Investment Report, foreign direct investment (FDI) into Africa rebounded to $97 billion in 2024, raising the continent’s share of global inflows from 4% to 6%, driven largely by 36% of global pro-investment policy reforms originating from the continent.
However, experts stress that such capital flows remain highly volatile and tend to flee at the slightest sign of political instability or judicial compromise.
Tying institutional integrity directly to investor confidence, Jonas noted that capital is fundamentally cowardly – it flows only to destinations where credibility is guaranteed by law rather than whim.
As fiscal headwinds worsen across developing economies, Jonas warned African governments against taking shortcuts or manipulating tax policies at the expense of structural credibility, emphasising that a country’s economic survival depends on predictable, independent institutions.
The 12th edition of the eWorld Forum will hold on Thursday, September 24, 2026, at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, under the theme: “The GSM Digital Milestones: 25 Years On.”
Since its inauguration in 2010, the eWorld Forum has grown into one of Nigeria’s leading platforms for dialogue on information and communications technology (ICT), bringing together policymakers, regulators, telecommunications operators, technology companies, investors, academics and other industry stakeholders to discuss the future of the country’s digital economy.
The 2026 edition coincides with the 25th anniversary of Nigeria’s GSM revolution, which began with the commercial rollout of GSM services in August 2001. Over the past two and a half decades, mobile telecommunications have transformed virtually every sector of the economy, reshaping communication, commerce, banking, education, healthcare, governance, entertainment and social interaction while accelerating digital inclusion and economic growth.
The forum will provide an opportunity for stakeholders to reflect on the industry’s achievements over the last 25 years, examine current challenges, and chart the path forward in key areas such as broadband expansion, artificial intelligence, fintech, digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, spectrum management and Nigeria’s evolving digital economy.
A major highlight of the event will be the public launch of two books authored by veteran ICT journalist, Publisher of eWorldnews and Convener of the eWorld Forum, Aaron Ukodie.
The first book, Nigeria’s GSM Revolution at 25: The Hall of Digital Pioneers and Players, has been specially published to commemorate the silver jubilee of GSM in Nigeria. The publication chronicles the remarkable evolution of the nation’s telecommunications industry and documents the vision, policies, investments, innovations and contributions of the pioneers, regulators, operators, institutions, companies and individuals whose collective efforts transformed Nigeria into one of Africa’s largest telecommunications and digital markets.
The book serves as a follow-up to Ukodie’s earlier publication, Nigerian Drivers of Digital Prosperity: The Trajectory of the Digital Evolution, Sector Analysis and Players’ Contribution, further preserving the history of Nigeria’s digital transformation.
The second publication, The Pilgrim Trail, is a deeply personal memoir that recounts the author’s life journey, professional experiences, Christian faith and reflections on God’s sustaining grace. The memoir also documents Ukodie’s recovery from the stroke he suffered in 2023 and how, despite prolonged physiotherapy and physical limitations affecting his right hand and right leg, he successfully completed both books. The work stands as a powerful testimony of resilience, perseverance, hope and unwavering faith.
Speaking ahead of the event, Ukodie said: “I am grateful for the opportunity to document both the history of Nigeria’s GSM revolution and my personal journey in The Pilgrim Trail.
“These books preserve important history while bearing testimony to God’s grace and faithfulness in my life. I look forward to sharing them with the public at the forum.”
Although both books will be officially launched during the forum, The Pilgrim Trail is already available for pre-launch orders.
According to the organisers, eWorld Forum 2026 is expected to be a landmark gathering that will celebrate one of Nigeria’s greatest technological success stories while preserving the history of the country’s digital transformation for future generations.
The forum will also honour the institutions, organisations and individuals whose pioneering efforts laid the foundation for Nigeria’s GSM revolution and continue to drive innovation across the nation’s digital ecosystem.
By Justice Winner
Nigeria’s startup ecosystem has entered a new era. Venture capital is no longer chasing bold ideas alone; investors are increasingly looking for businesses that combine innovation with sound governance, operational discipline, and long-term sustainability. As Nigeria reclaims its position as Africa’s leading destination for venture capital, founders must recognise that fundraising is no longer driven solely by product-market fit or revenue growth. Strategic communication has become a competitive advantage.
The collapse of once-promising startups despite raising millions of dollars demonstrates an important lesson: funding can accelerate growth, but reputation, trust, and transparency determine longevity. Investors now evaluate leadership credibility, governance standards, regulatory preparedness, and market positioning alongside financial performance.
Here are five strategic communication moves every startup should implement to improve investor confidence and strengthen enterprise value.
1. Build Trust Before You Need Capital
Investor relationships begin long before a fundraising round. Startups that consistently communicate their vision, milestones, customer impact, and business progress build familiarity and confidence within the investment community.
Rather than disappearing between funding announcements, founders should establish a regular cadence of updates through media engagements, company announcements, newsletters, and thought leadership. Consistent visibility demonstrates momentum, reduces uncertainty, and helps investors understand the long-term trajectory of the business.
Trust compounds over time, making fundraising conversations significantly easier when capital is eventually required.
2. Position Founders as Industry Thought Leaders
Increasingly, investors back founders as much as they back products.
Founders who contribute meaningfully to conversations around regulation, technology, financial inclusion, climate innovation, healthcare, or digital infrastructure establish themselves as credible industry leaders rather than startup operators chasing funding.
Strategic media interviews, opinion articles, conference speaking engagements, podcasts, and executive profiling help build authority. This visibility often places founders on the radar of venture capital firms long before formal introductions are made.
Strong executive visibility also reassures investors that company leadership can effectively represent the business during partnerships, regulatory engagements, and future expansion.
3. Communicate Governance as Clearly as Growth
One of the biggest lessons from recent startup failures is that rapid growth without strong governance creates significant investor risk.
Strategic communication should extend beyond customer acquisition and product launches. Founders should proactively communicate governance improvements, compliance initiatives, board appointments, internal controls, cybersecurity measures, and risk management practices.
Institutional investors increasingly evaluate operational maturity before deploying capital. Demonstrating transparency around governance signals that the company is built for sustainable growth rather than short-term expansion.
Clear governance messaging transforms compliance from a back-office function into an investor confidence strategy.
4. Own Your Narrative Before Others Do
Every startup has a story. The question is whether the company tells it first.
Without deliberate communication, external stakeholders—including competitors, critics, or market speculation—often define public perception. During periods of economic uncertainty, this can significantly influence customer confidence and investor sentiment.
A strategic communications plan should clearly articulate what problem the startup solves, why it matters, how the business creates measurable impact, and what differentiates it within the market.
Narrative ownership also becomes essential during difficult periods. Whether facing product challenges, regulatory changes, fundraising delays, or broader market volatility, startups that communicate openly and consistently are far more likely to preserve stakeholder trust than those that remain silent.
5. Showcase Impact, Not Just Investment
Funding announcements generate headlines, but sustained investor interest comes from demonstrating measurable impact.
Startups should regularly communicate meaningful business metrics, customer success stories, operational milestones, employment generation, market expansion, technology innovation, and contributions to national development.
Nigeria’s most attractive ventures increasingly solve structural challenges—from financial inclusion and agricultural distribution to clean energy and logistics. Communicating this broader economic impact positions startups as long-term infrastructure builders rather than short-term technology companies.
Investors increasingly seek businesses capable of generating sustainable value while contributing to broader economic transformation. The stronger the evidence of impact, the stronger the investment case.
Nigeria’s venture capital ecosystem continues to mature despite global economic headwinds. Improved foreign exchange stability, progressive policies such as the Nigerian Startup Act, increasing sector diversification, and stronger institutional participation have reinforced the country’s position as Africa’s leading innovation hub. However, capital is becoming more selective.
For today’s founders, strategic communication is no longer a marketing exercise—it is a business function that directly influences investor confidence, corporate reputation, partnerships, customer trust, and ultimately valuation. Companies that invest early in building credibility, communicating transparently, and positioning themselves as trusted market leaders will be better equipped to attract long-term capital and navigate future market cycles.
In an increasingly competitive investment landscape, startups that communicate strategically will not simply raise capital—they will command stronger valuations, build more resilient brands, and shape the next chapter of Nigeria’s innovation economy.
By Justice Winner, Senior Account Manager, IVI PR
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