Telecom
Challenges of Last mile Infrastructure in Service Delivery
One of the major obstacles to Telecommunications service delivery in the country is absence of last mile infrastructure required to deliver services to consumers of these services at their respective homes and offices.
Last mile infrastructure is that transmission infrastructure telecommunications operators used to deliver services to potential subscribers at their domains. Basically, infrastructure required in this regard includes optic fibre and microwave.
The need for effective transmission infrastructure especially fibre optic which is seen as being reliable become necessary in view of developments in the industry, which is geared towards improving quality of service as well as reduces cost of services to operators and subscribers. For instance, operators have before now relied heavily on satellite communications for their bandwidth requirement as against undersea cable because of unreliability of Sat-3 which then was the only in its category, but, now there are several alternative especially in the undersea cable, where we have Glo 1 and MainOne cable and awaited West Africa Cable System (WACS). The coming of these two telecommunications infrastructure has to a great deal drive down cost of bandwidth. Nigeria CommunicationsWeek investigation revealed that one mega byte per second bandwidth sold for $800 now goes for as low as $300 which is more than 100% reduction. This reduction can only be enjoyed by subscribers of telecommunications services if the needed infrastructure to deliver services to end users are available, in this case last mile fibre optics. But it is not readily available. Nigeria CommunicationsWeek gathered that all undersea cable infrastructure lands at the shores of Lagos and need to extend to different operators’ network switches and to transport this infrastructure from Lagos Island to Mainland area of Lagos will cost an operator $600 per one mega byte if it is to lease fibre optic from another operator that has it.
More so, the absence of this facility forced them to largely adopt microwave and satellite technology, few years ago, over 80 percent of telephone access in the country was rendered through satellite technology. Experts have noted that quality of service delivered using microwave technology is often times affected by atmospheric condition, making the technology not suitable for reliable service delivery compared to fibre optic cable also known as terrestrial infrastructure. But today, this scenario is fast changing as operators are now deploying fibre optic transmission network to improve on their service quality. But more work is still needed in this regard.
A fibre optic cable is made from a glass cladding that (due to its lower refractive index) reflects ‘escaping’ light back into the core, resulting in the light being guided along the fibre.
Currently, the growth and potential earning accruable from telecommunications services in Nigeria economy is comparable to other markets in the world, and the current rate of network growth across the country is impressive.
Quite a number of global technology corporations are extending their operations to Nigeria with multiplier effect on the economy, and international trade between us and other countries of the world.
However, it is encouraging to note that despite the rapid growth of telecommunications in the country, there is still a great opportunity for further growth and even development, as Nigeria being the most populous country in Africa, has an estimated addressable telecommunications market of 100 million subscribers presently. In view of the country’s landscape, she remains major market for long distance network operators due to increasing demand for multi-service, such as voice, data, video as well as rural telephony access.
Experience has shown that in order for predominantly mobile operators to improve on their quality of service, as well as capture multi-service segment of the market, they must invest in fibre optic backbone.
Efforts in this regard
The absence of terrestrial infrastructure in the telecommunication industry is being felt in all service deliveries. For instance, in direct-to-home satellite television broadcasting, it is a common occurrence for service to be disrupted each time it rains, more so, the hope of offering broadband internet service cannot be realized without a fibre optic infrastructure, its absence is responsible for the narrow band services rendered by operators in the sector.
It is against this backdrop that telecommunications giant; Globacom initiated its fibre optic ring project across the country. So far, it has completed Abuja to Kano, Minna, Enugu, Owerri, Uyo among others even as works on the last link between Lagos and Benin has reached advance stage.
Nigeria Telecommunications Limited (Nitel) has fibre optic ring that is not being used probably because of the monopolistic tendencies of the moribund company, which resulted in the federal government parastatal’s refusal to lease out the infrastructure to GSM operators that requested for it during their early roll out plan.
This however led to them embarking on similar project. MTN in order to meet the growing high-capacity transport and connectivity needs of the industry has almost completed a world-class quality Metropolitan Area Fibre Networks in Ibadan, Kano, Warri, and Aba. When completed, it will support anticipated voice, data and video growth in these cities by providing superior transmission capacity, reliability, robustness and quality service. This is in addition to 3,885km of fibre optic backbone networks popularly referred to as ‘Blaze’ network. Blaze was implemented in four phases, namely: Phases 1 and 2 southern and eastern rings with a total of 2,422km. Phase 3, Northern ring with a total span of 1,116km, Phase 4 Niger Delta with a total span of 347km. MTN is leveraging on this infrastructure to provide connectivity of some commercial banks as well as Central Bank of Nigeria.
Zain is not left out in this effort to improve service through effective transmission infrastructure of fibre optic. The company having taken delivery of its first fibre optic project 4,000km from Nokia Siemans has awarded another contract to the same company for the expansion of its existing 4,000km nationwide fiber backbone network by a further 6,000km.
Zain Nigeria, explained that the aim of the project is to create wide capacity for Nigeria’s growing number of customers demanding high quality broadband services by deploying self owned fiber.
Zain awarded the original project in November 2007, but Nokia Siemens Networks speed up the project’s preliminary deadline of June 2009, and completed Phase 1 of the project by end February. This phase 2 of the project has been completed.
In essence, Nigeria will begin to witness emergence of an improved and unlimited telecom services, massive expansion of networks and benefits or their existing market goodwill, and a significant increase in the demand for multi-service.
The market will begin to offer bundled services, as costs come down. The competition between wireless and wired line services would begin to grow.
Impact
Gbenga Adebayo, chief executive officer, Communications Network support service, said that aside improved transmission of voice call, data and video occasion by the expansion of fibre optic by telcos, there will be emergence of wired services. He said wired line services offer multi-service at very affordable rate without compromise on quality. According to him, the fixed nature of the service of wired line, provide for a long tern relationship between operators of the service and their customer. He said that, market research has shown that in the urban areas, a large number of residential customers have a higher retention of their fixed lines with better quality than mobile services.
Deolu Ogunbanjo, president of National Association of Telecommunications subscribers of Nigeria (Natcomms) said that transmission of telecommunication services via microwave contributes to poor quality of service being experienced by subscribers of telecom services, and that with a shift to more effective transmission by fibre optic backbone, Nigeria subscribers will begin to witness unmatched service delivery especially in video, and data service.
It is a known fact that challenges for wired network operators in the country range from the difficulty in infrastructure deployment, right of way approval processes, and unwillingness of operators to co-share ducts among others. But as these are gradually being addressed through the growing of national fibre optic transmission backbone, Nigerians are expecting the emergence of wired line services as telecommunications development is moving to the next level of value added which ultimately required bandwidth.
MENXTT TECH NG, a Lagos-based technology company, has launched an initiative to make quality Dell laptops more affordable for Nigerians through flexible payment plans and extended warranty support.
The company said the initiative was aimed at helping students, entrepreneurs, professionals and small businesses acquire reliable computing devices despite rising technology costs.
According to the company, customers can now purchase premium pre-owned Dell Latitude, Dell Precision and Dell Inspiron laptops at competitive prices, with selected models available under staggered payment arrangements.
The laptops, it said, are designed to meet the needs of users ranging from students and office workers to architects, engineers, software developers, graphic designers and video editors.
Speaking on the initiative, the Co-Founder of MENXTT TECH NG, Mr Anthony Emeka Nwosu, said access to quality technology should not be limited by financial constraints.
“A laptop is no longer a luxury; it is an essential tool for education, business and career development.
“Unfortunately, many people are forced to settle for unreliable devices because of the high cost of new laptops.
“At MENXTT TECH NG, we want to bridge that gap by providing durable Dell business laptops at affordable prices, backed by a full one-year warranty and flexible payment plans.
“We want every student, entrepreneur, freelancer and business owner to have access to technology that helps them succeed,” he said.
Nwosu explained that every laptop undergoes comprehensive testing before delivery and comes with a one-year warranty, an original charger, a complimentary laptop bag, Windows 11 operating system and Microsoft Office Suite pre-installed.
He added that the company, an authorised Bitdefender Antivirus reseller in Nigeria, also installs genuine Bitdefender security software on every system to protect customers against cyber threats.
According to him, customers requiring additional productivity tools can also have licensed Foxit PDF software installed on their devices.
Nwosu said the flexible payment option was introduced in response to prevailing economic realities, enabling customers to spread payments over an agreed period.
He noted that the arrangement would make it easier for students, startups and growing businesses to acquire quality computers without placing excessive pressure on their finances.
Beyond laptop sales, the company provides information technology consultancy, computer repairs, software licensing, cybersecurity solutions and digital transformation services to organisations across Nigeria.
He reaffirmed the company’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s digital economy by making dependable computing devices and enterprise technology solutions more accessible to individuals and businesses.
According to him, the initiative reflects MENXTT TECH NG’s vision of combining affordability, quality products and professional after-sales support to help more Nigerians participate in the country’s expanding digital ecosystem. (NAN)
National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has called for stronger collaboration among government, industry, academia and technology professionals to accelerate digital innovation and drive inclusive economic growth in Nigeria.
Dr. Aristotle Onumo, Director, Stakeholder Management and Partnerships, representing the Director General of NITDA, delivers a goodwill message at the 20th International Conference on Technology and Computing (RISE 2026) in Jos, reaffirming the Agency’s commitment to fostering digital innovation, strategic collaboration, and a technology-driven future for Nigeria.
The agency made the call at the 20th Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) International Conference 2026, held in Jos, Plateau State, where stakeholders examined strategies for leveraging emerging technologies to strengthen national development.
Speaking on behalf of the Director-General of NITDA, Mr Kashifu Inuwa, the agency’s Director of Stakeholders Management and Partnerships, Dr Aristotle Onumo, said Nigeria’s digital transformation would depend on sustained investment in innovation, digital skills, research and strategic partnerships.
According to him, collaboration across the public and private sectors is essential to translate emerging technologies into practical solutions capable of improving governance, creating jobs and enhancing the country’s global competitiveness.
Onumo said NITDA remained committed to implementing its Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan through initiatives that promote digital literacy, research and development, innovation ecosystems, cyber sovereignty and emerging technologies.
He added that the agency was expanding opportunities for innovators, entrepreneurs and startups through platforms designed to encourage collaboration, investment and technology-driven enterprise.
“We are transforming Digital Nigeria into the nation’s foremost innovation platform where policymakers, investors, startups, researchers and technology companies can collaborate to accelerate economic growth and digital transformation,” he said.
He urged innovators, startup founders and technology professionals to participate actively in the forthcoming Builders Summit by showcasing indigenous solutions capable of addressing Nigeria’s development challenges.
Declaring the conference open, the Governor of Plateau State, Mr Caleb Mutfwang, described digital technology as a critical driver of governance and economic development.
Mutfwang said his administration had adopted digital solutions to improve public service delivery, modernise government operations and enhance internally generated revenue.
He also identified technology as a key enabler for agricultural transformation, increased productivity and improved food security, urging participants to ensure that deliberations at the conference translate into practical outcomes for national development.
Earlier, the President of the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), Prof. Muhammad Sirajo, said the conference was organised to strengthen collaboration among policymakers, researchers, regulators, technology professionals and industry leaders.
Sirajo said the conference, with the theme “Harnessing Digital Innovation and Emerging Technologies for Inclusive Growth and Economic Renaissance (RISE 2026),” focused on exploring how innovation could accelerate Nigeria’s socio-economic development.
He identified artificial intelligence, blockchain, cloud computing, cybersecurity and robotics as among the technologies shaping the future of economies across the world.
According to him, Nigeria’s youthful population and expanding digital ecosystem provide a strong foundation for building a globally competitive economy through sustained investment in digital infrastructure, innovation and skills development.
The conference attracted government officials, regulators, academics, development partners, technology professionals and private-sector stakeholders to deliberate on policies and innovations aimed at accelerating Nigeria’s digital transformation and inclusive economic renaissance.
Telecom
Hon. Minister Dr. Kingsley T. Udeh and ASUS To Unveil First of a Kind Flagship Store in West Africa
In a landmark moment for Nigeria’s technology retail sector, the Honourable Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh SAN, will on Monday, August 3rd, commission a landmark ASUS Flagship Store in partnership with Nigeria’s leading e-commerce group Konga. The state-of-the-art facility is widely regarded as the first initiative of its kind in West Africa.
The commissioning will witness the visit of senior executives from the world-renowned technology brand to Nigeria, including EMEA General Manager, Mr. Aaron Tsai, alongside other. One of the purposes of their visit is to reinforce the strategic partnership with Konga and solidify the collaboration between both organisations, further demonstrating ASUS’ commitment to the Nigerian market.
The event is expected to also bring together key stakeholders from government, the technology industry, business community, and the media for what promises to be a defining moment in the evolution of technology retail in the region.
The development comes as Konga continues to accelerate its strategic partnerships with some of the world’s leading technology brands.
For years, Nigerian consumers have demanded more than just access to genuine technology products. They have increasingly sought immersive experiences, expert guidance, after-sales support, and greater confidence when making technology investments. The next chapter in this journey appears to address many of these expectations in a bold and innovative way.
The forthcoming announcement is expected to bring together global innovation in a manner that reflects the changing realities of today’s technology consumer. It also reinforces the growing confidence that leading international technology companies continue to place in Nigeria as one of Africa’s most strategic digital markets.
Industry analysts note that partnerships of this nature are becoming increasingly important as consumers place greater emphasis on authenticity, hands-on product experiences, technical support, and trusted purchase channels. Beyond selling devices, the future of technology retail lies in building complete customer experiences.
As anticipation builds for Monday, one thing is certain: the ASUS-Konga partnership promises to set new standards for tech retail in West Africa, elevating customer experience and reinforcing Nigeria’s digital transformation narrative.
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