Telecom
Confusion over Slash in MTN’s Fine as Telco Sacks Ikpoki, Nigerian CEO
Confusion reigned yesterday over the status of the huge fine slammed on MTN Nigeria in October for failing to disconnect 5.1 million unregistered subscribers, with the teleco claiming that the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has cut the fine to $3.4 billion from $5.2 billion, payable by the end of this month.
But an event in Abuja yesterday, Barr Adebayo Shittu, minister of communication, insisted that MTN Nigeria must pay the $5.2 billion fine.
Also, Professor Umar Danbatta, NCC’s executive vice chairman, at the event stated that the federal government’s decision on the fine has not changed.
Prof. Danbatta stated that though the payment deadline had long expired, the fine issue is still being given the deserved attention by the NCC.
Elsewhere, the crisis at MTN has claimed its first victim with the sacking of Michael Ikpoki, who has been replaced by Ferdi Moolman as head of the Nigerian operations.
The announcement of Mooolman is part of the communications pushed out by MTN when it claimed that “MTN has received a formal letter dated December 2, 2015 from the NCC informing the company that, after considering the company’s request, it has taken the decision to reduce the fine”
MTN’s shares on South Africa Stock Exchange have lost 23 percent of their value since the fine was made public on Oct. 26.
Chairman Phuthuma Nhleko took an executive position in November and led negotiations with the NCC after Chief Executive Officer Sifiso Dabengwa resigned.
Nhleko will “immediately and urgently re-engage with the Nigerian authorities before responding formally,” MTN said in the statement.
“All factors having a bearing on the situation will be thoroughly and carefully considered before the company arrives at a final decision.”
But in Nigeria, Shittu, minister of Communication, debunked speculation that the federal government was planning to waive the fine slammed on the South African firm.
Since Monday, there have been speculations in some online media platforms that President Muhammadu Buhari may waive the N1.04 trillion fine when he meets his South African counterpart, President Jacob Zuma when they meet for the Forum of China-Africa Co-operation in Johannesburg later this week.
An online report on TVC news quoted the spokesman for the Department of International Relations South Africa, Clayson Monyela, as saying that expected meeting between the two heads of state will decide MTN’s fate regarding the fine, adding that the government was monitoring the development with keen interest.
Also Danbatta, NCC boss said though the deadline has expired, the fine is still receiving attention.
Danbatta said: “The fine is still receiving attention. The deadline has expired, that we are aware. What we did was to write to them to acknowledge the letter that have written to the commission which admitted that they committed a breach in the letter, they have undertaken to good regulatory behaviour and an apology to the Nigerian people as well as well as solicitation of leniency on the quantum of the fine, these things are still receiving attention and we wrote to acknowledged the receipt of the letter in order to ensure that there are no further sanctions of non-compliance on the deadline. So they not have broken any rule.”
With the introduction of Travel Saga, a premium, fast-paced gaming experience that is currently live and accessible to customers on its network, Globacom has lifted the bar for mobile entertainment in the country.
Travel Saga is a story-driven, intricately connected role-playing game designed to provide the thrill, complexity, and competitive intensity of some of the most well-known action games in the world.
The game, which has been painstakingly optimized for mobile devices, redefines mobile gaming as a full-fledged digital battlefield by translating a console-grade experience onto data-enabled handsets.
Fundamentally, Travel Saga takes users on quick virtual journeys against recognizable international landscapes. In a dynamic, ever-evolving gaming environment, players are thrown into furious missions, fierce fights, and ever-expanding tales where talent, strategy, and endurance determine who rises through the ranks to become a true war hero.
In addition to the excitement of fighting, users are encouraged to go to various locations, take part in thrilling challenges, and participate in intense competition for in-app rewards like points and victory badges. With each encounter and accomplishment, the immersion increases with each level, maintaining momentum and excitement.
Flexible subscription plans with one-time or auto-renewal choices are available to subscribers for the service, which costs ₦100 per day and ₦250 per week. By dialing *70021#, customers can quickly subscribe and gain instant access to the action.
With Travel Saga, Glo reaffirms its dedication to innovation and high-end digital experiences, making top-notch gaming easily accessible to its customers. The game offers uninterrupted action, adventure, and competition, all smoothly supported by the Glo network.
SHELT, a leading cybersecurity-as-a-service provider, has earned inclusion in the 2025 MSSP 250, the annual ranking of the world’s top 250 Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs) by MSSP Alert, a CyberRisk Alliance publication.
SHELT
The list evaluates firms on business performance, service breadth, and industry impact, spotlighting those excelling in growth, operational excellence, and advanced managed security amid rising cyber threats. Selection criteria include annual recurring revenue, profitability, workforce expansion, business growth, and the depth of managed security offerings.
SHELT’s recognition underscores its investments in scalable security operations, threat intelligence, and tailored managed services across multiple regions, enabling clients to navigate complex risk landscapes effectively.
“Being recognised in the MSSP 250 is a meaningful milestone for our team,” stated Youssef Abillama, CEO of SHELT. “It validates our focus on building practical, resilient security services that help organisations manage risk and respond effectively to today’s evolving cyber threats.”
The company hailed the honour as testament to its teams’ dedication and expertise worldwide, reaffirming commitment to enhancing capabilities and delivering trusted cybersecurity solutions.
Meta Platforms, owner of Facebook, has appointed Dina Powell McCormick, a former adviser to President Donald Trump, as its new president and vice chairman, bolstering its leadership amid aggressive AI and infrastructure expansion.
Dina Powell McCormick
The announcement, made on Monday, positions Powell McCormick – who recently stepped down from Meta’s board after eight months – to guide overall strategy, including multi-billion-dollar investments in data centres and global partnerships.
A Goldman Sachs veteran with 16 years in senior roles and prior stints as deputy national security adviser under Trump and in the Bush administration, she brings deep finance and international ties to the role.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg hailed her as “uniquely qualified” for the company’s next growth phase, while President Trump praised the move on Truth Social as a “fantastic choice”.
The hire signals Meta’s efforts to strengthen White House relations, following recent dinners with Trump and U.S. investment pledges worth hundreds of billions
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