Telecom
WTL Releases Findings of 2016’s Survey on African USFs

World Telecom Labs (WTL) today unveiled the findings of its recent survey about the management and rollout of voice and/or data deployments in Africa that have been financed by Universal Service Funds (USF).
WTL invited people from across the telecoms ecosystem including vendors, operators and ISPs, NGOs and Government Officials to share their experience and opinions about USF and to identify where improvements could be made in the management of USF.
According to the findings made available to Nigeria CommunicationsWeek, 25% of the respondents had been directly involved with a network built using money from USF and were extremely well-informed and open to sharing their thoughts.
Other key findings of the survey show that 96% of survey respondents see USF as offering huge potential to solve connectivity and service delivery issues in rural environments.
Also, operators, NGOs and Government Agencies all expressed an interest in delivering connectivity to unconnected areas with 86% of respondents feeling strongly that a combination of all three is required in order to unlock investment.
This implies that connecting the unconnected requires a coalition – a collaborative approach between all relevant stakeholders, including vendors who can offer technology to deliver the connectivity required.
The main obstacles blocking the building of networks using USF funds were identified as excessive bureaucracy and inflexibility of USF rules.
Concerns were raised about the sustainability of rural investments. However, many respondents were unfamiliar with the handful of companies – including WTL – which provide equipment specifically designed to build commercially viable networks in rural villages.
Leigh Smith, MD of WTL, said “People were very open and eager to share their experiences and opinions – and most were extremely positive about the economic benefits of providing voice and data to areas which are still unconnected.
Connecting the unconnected continues to be a hot topic with companies such as Facebook and Google investing heavily in their own initiatives.
At WTL we will continue to develop our portfolio of award-winning equipment to help operators, ISPs and NGOs build sustainable rural networks.”
WTL has built a number of networks in rural Africa partly financed by USF and has seen for itself the immense benefits USF can bring, irrespective of its challenges. In particular, the deployment of WTL’s Vivada (Village Voice and Data) system in rural Tanzania is an example of a strong and productive use of USF funds.
AMOTEL, Tanzania’s first MVNO operating through Tanzania Telecommunications Company Limited (TTCL), the country’s national telecom company, is initially deploying WTL’s Vivada system to build low OPEX, low-CAPEX networks in three villages that are not currently covered by any kind of network.
The proof of concept project is being financed by the Universal Communications Service Access Fund (UCSAF) as part of its US$9.6 million investment to improve connectivity in Tanzania, which was announced last year.
Results of the survey can be found at http://wtl.be/blog/wtls-research-uncovers-growing-demand-for-rural-data-coverage/
Headquartered in Belgium with offices in Nigeria, Brazil and the UK, WTL helps operators in emerging markets to deploy cost-effective, reliable voice and data networks for both rural and urban environments.
WTL’s innovative, practical and cost-effective portfolio includes its Vivada (Village Voice and Data), specifically developed so that operators large and small can build low OPEX, low-CAPEX networks for all types of pre and post-paid customers with varying telecoms budgets including GSM for every type of handset; wifi connectivity for smartphones, tablets, laptops and PCs – and connectivity to cybercafés and hotspot call cabins.
Vivada includes a micro GSM base station, wifi routers and modems, backhaul integration, billing software, VoIP switches and an SMS server.
Telecom
How Recycled SIM Card Linked to N50m Kidnapping Nearly Landed me in Jail – Businesswoman

Titilayo Ibrahim, Nigerian businesswoman, has shared a harrowing experience of how she narrowly escaped imprisonment after a SIM card she purchased was linked to a N50 million kidnapping and murder case.

In an interview with BBC Yoruba shared on Facebook, Ibrahim narrated how a routine business transaction quickly turned into a terrifying ordeal.
According to her, the nightmare began on October 16, 2025, when a purported customer contacted her business line to purchase nightwear.
The caller, a woman, claimed her own phone was faulty and that she was using her husband’s device.
After selecting two pieces, the woman asked for directions for pickup. Ibrahim shared the location of her estate junction, but upon arrival, she was met by two men who identified themselves as police officers and immediately arrested her.
The officers accused Ibrahim of being connected to a major kidnapping operation.
They alleged that the phone number she was using had been involved in a January 2024 incident where a N50 million ransom was collected before the victim was brutally murdered.
Ibrahim desperately tried to explain that the number was innocent, stating that she had only purchased the SIM card in April 2025—months after the crime took place—and used it strictly for her MiFi device.
The officers, reportedly led by Inspector Dauda Adamu of the Force Intelligence Department (FID) in Abuja, claimed that one of the phone numbers linked to her National Identification Number (NIN) was tied to the crime.
They took her to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, and she faced intense harassment and the threat of being detained in Akure and transferred to Abuja.
In a bid to clear her name, Ibrahim and the officers visited an Airtel office.
On October 17, 2025, the telecommunications company officially confirmed from their records that the disputed SIM was indeed purchased and activated in April 2025.
“Even after confirming it at the network office, they still didn’t believe me. They harassed me and almost sent me to prison for what I know nothing about,” Ibrahim recounted.
Despite the undeniable evidence from the network provider clearing her of any involvement, the police still confiscated her phones, took them to Abuja, and instructed her to report there.
Her revelation has sparked widespread outrage and concern online.
Many Nigerians expressed shock at the incident, pointing out the growing dangers and security risks associated with telecommunication companies recycling inactive phone numbers or the hazards of inadvertently purchasing pre-registered SIM cards.
The incident highlights the terrifying reality of how easily innocent citizens can become entangled in complex criminal investigations.
Telecom
Ouranos Technologies Strengthens Board with Key Leadership Appointments

Ouranos Technologies Limited has announced the appointment of Mr. Tajudeen Ahmed as Chairman of the Board of Directors, effective 1 January 2026.

Ouranos Technologies is an enterprise technology solutions integrator, managed services provider, and innovation lab in West Africa, specialising in IT infrastructure, networking, cybersecurity, cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), and digital transformation solutions for organisations across banking and financial services, telecommunications, energy, manufacturing, and the public sector.
Commenting on the appointments, Mr. Mfon Okon, Managing Director of Ouranos Technologies Limited, also confirmed the appointment of Mrs. Omokunbi Adeoti and Mr. Olalekan Olabode as Non-Executive Directors, further strengthening the Board’s strategic oversight as the company continues its regional expansion and technology leadership.
These appointments mark a significant milestone in the governance evolution of Ouranos Technologies, as it deepens its focus on enterprise technology delivery, cybersecurity innovation, and strategic partnerships across Africa.
Strengthening Governance for the Next Phase of Growth
Mr. Tajudeen Ahmed brings over 25 years of leadership experience spanning consulting, banking, manufacturing, capital markets, and large-scale corporate strategy execution.
He holds a BSc. in Accounting from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he graduated as Best Student in both the Department and Faculty, and an MBA, with Distinction, from the University of Leeds, United Kingdom.
A Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (FCA), Mr. Ahmed has held senior leadership roles across several prominent institutions including Arthur Andersen / KPMG, Zenith Bank Plc, Skye Bank Plc, Variant Advisory Limited, and BUA Group, where he served as General Manager / Group Head, Business Development. During his tenure at BUA Group, he played a key role in the listing of BUA Foods Plc on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) and in securing regulatory approvals for the Bundu Free Trade Zone in Port Harcourt.
He holds Fellowships of other reputable institutions, including National Institute of Credit Administration (FICA), Enterprise Risk Management Professionals (FERP), and Nigerian Leadership Initiative (FNLI); as well as memberships of the Chartered Institute of Directors Nigeria (M.CIoD), Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (ACIB and HCIB), and Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ACIS). He currently serves on the Board of the Society for Corporate Governance Nigeria (SCGN).
Mr. Ahmed currently serves as Associate Director (Deal Origination) at Lead Capital Plc, where he continues to drive strategic business growth.
Experienced Leaders Join the Board
Joining the Board as Non-Executive Director, Mrs. Omokunbi Adeoti brings over 24 years of leadership experience in human capital strategy, governance, organisational transformation, and customer experience across Sub-Saharan Africa.
She currently serves as Chief People Experience Officer at Leadway Group, where she provides strategic oversight for human capital and customer experience across 11 business entities and over 4,000 employees (FTE & non-FTE) spanning insurance, pensions, health, hospitality, and asset management operations.
Mrs. Adeoti has led large-scale transformation initiatives including enterprise restructuring, HR digitisation, and group-wide customer experience optimisation, driving measurable improvements in organisational performance, employee productivity, and customer engagement.
She has also played a key role in mergers and integration programmes, as well as the deployment of enterprise HR systems, enabling operational efficiency and scalability across the Group.
A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (FCIPM), Mrs. Adeoti is a member of several global professional bodies, including the HR Forbes Council and the Society for Corporate Governance Nigeria (SCGN). She has received multiple recognitions for her leadership impact, including Peak Performing Woman of the Year (2023 and 2024).
Also joining the Board is Mr. Olalekan Olabode, a seasoned finance and operations executive with over 18 years of multinational experience in financial management, strategic planning, and operational oversight across complex, capital-intensive industries.
Mr. Olabode is a distinguished Finance Executive with over 21 years of leadership at the intersection of maritime logistics, global supply chain, and corporate finance. He has held senior executive roles at prominent logistics operators where he built a reputation for turning financial complexity into strategic advantage.
He has a proven history of making high-stakes treasury decisions under pressure navigating foreign exchange volatility, managing interest rate exposure, and manoeuvring one of the most challenging currency environments in Africa.
His governance frameworks are not simply compliance exercises; they are systems architected for resilience, built on rigorous internal controls that protect value and enable bold decision-making.
What distinguishes Olalekan is his rare ability to align financial performance with long-term strategic intent translating numbers into narratives that drive boardroom conviction and organizational momentum.
He builds teams that outlast his tenure, embedding structures, accountability, and a culture of excellence that compounds over time. His investment in mentorship has produced measurable leadership depth across every organization he has led.
A Fellow of the ACCA (UK), Certified Supply Chain Professional, and Executive MBA candidate at the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, Olalekan brings both the technical mastery and the executive presence to lead at the highest levels.
Corporate Governance and Legal Advisory
Supporting the Board’s governance structure is Ms. Margaret Akpoyoware (ACIS), who serves as Company Secretary.
A seasoned legal practitioner with extensive experience in corporate advisory, commercial transactions, litigation, and regulatory compliance, she previously practised with Chief Rotimi Williams Chambers and Olajide Oyewole & Co. before founding Nero’s Practice, a multidisciplinary law firm providing legal advisory services to corporate and institutional clients.
Ouranos Technologies to Drive Africa’s Digital Transformation
“The appointment of Mr. Tajudeen Ahmed as Chairman, alongside the addition of accomplished professionals such as Mrs. Omokunbi Adeoti and Mr. Olalekan Olabode to our Board, represents an important step in strengthening the governance and strategic leadership of Ouranos Technologies,” Mr Okon, Managing Director of Ouranos Technologies Limited, added.
“As organisations across Africa accelerate their digital transformation journeys, strong governance, strategic insight, and operational discipline become even more critical.
“The depth of experience our new Board members bring will support Ouranos Technologies in delivering innovative, secure, and scalable technology solutions for our customers across the region,” Mr Okon said.
The strengthened Board reflects Ouranos Technologies’ commitment to strong corporate governance, innovation, and sustainable growth.
With operations spanning Nigeria and other West African markets, Ouranos Technologies operates as an enterprise technology solutions integrator, managed services provider, and innovation lab, delivering solutions across IT infrastructure, networking, cybersecurity, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation for organisations across banking and financial services, telecommunications, energy, manufacturing, and the public sector.
Telecom
Truecaller Hits 500m Users Milestone – Sets New Global Standard for Trusted Communication

Truecaller, the leading global platform for safe and trusted communication, today announced that it has surpassed 500 million users worldwide, marking a significant milestone in the company’s mission to build trust in communication.

Truecaller
The platform continues to see significant user growth, adding over 50 million users in 2025, and has surpassed 150 million users outside of India as demand for protection against spam, scam and unwanted communication continues to grow globally.
Truecaller also crossed 4 million paying subscribers globally earlier in the year, further strengthening one of its key revenue streams.
Crossing the 500 million mark underscores how trust has become one of the most essential layers in digital communication today.
“This is an important milestone for us, but it also says something bigger about the world we live in,” said Rishit Jhunjhunwala, CEO of Truecaller.
“More and more people need help navigating spam, scams, and unwanted communication every day. Reaching 500 million users shows the scale of that need, and the trust people place in Truecaller to help make communication safer.
“Our commitment remains focused on continuously strengthening Truecaller with smarter technology and new capabilities that protect users before, during, and after every call or message.
“Ultimately, our aim is to build a safer, more trusted communication ecosystem for everyone. We now have our sights set on the next milestone: 1 Billion users.”
With half a billion people using the platform every month, Truecaller has evolved beyond just Caller ID. It has become an essential part of how communication works safely in the digital age; a daily-use trust layer that helps people verify identities, avoid fraud, and make informed decisions about who they interact with.
Today, Truecaller operates as a global digital utility platform, embedded into everyday communication habits for hundreds of millions of people. From identifying unknown callers to preventing fraud and enabling safer messaging, the platform has become a habitual, daily-use service that supports safer interactions across the phone ecosystem.
Despite serving more than half a billion users globally, the company remains relatively lean, with a team of approximately 470 employees building and operating the platform for users around the world.
The company will continue to report the average number of monthly and daily active users on a quarterly basis in connection with its interim financial reports
E-Financial3 days agoCBN bars large‑ticket loan defaulters from banking services in tough new crackdown
General News3 days agoARN Rejects Medical Bill over Attempt to ‘Scrap’ Profession
Telecom3 days agoNIGCOMSAT Supports Startups Growth with the Launch of Accelerator 3.0
News3 days agoMeningitis Kills a Quarter Million People a Year -Study
Telecom3 days agoFG Unveils Digital Economy Research Fund Scheme
News3 days agoStakeholder says AI is Crucial to Nigerian Data Centres Amid Persistent Grid Collapse
E-Financial2 days agoNGX REGCO Fines 5 Firms N291m for Market Manipulation
News2 days agoDangote Refinery Debunks Speculations on IPO













