Telecom
NCC May Intervene over Telcos’ Debt to VAS Licensees
Licensees in the Value Added Service (VAS) market segment of the nation’s ICT industry have sent ‘Save our Soul’ letter to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) over the increasing debts owed them by telecom operators.
Nigeria CommunicationsWeek gathered that the debt profile running in billions of naira has forced about 30% of the licensees to close shop.
Thus, they are crying to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC’s) to replicate its interventional efforts that led to the payment of N10 billion owned to their counterparts in the interconnect segment by same telecom operators.
Meanwhile, there are indications that NCC may step in to resolve the matter as the Professor Umar Danbatta, the EVC in his speech at the recent TERF 2016, admitted that “On the VAS segment, we believe that the absence of detailed regulation with appropriate market segmentation is responsible for interconnect disputes”.
Nigeria CommunicationsWeek’s investigations show that telcos indebtedness to these content providers has been skyrocketing since 2013.
In the VAS market, there are both operators and licensees. While the operators focus on special numbering, the licensees focus on content provisioning using short codes and they are the worst hit following inadequacies in the market.
The licensees numbering over one hundred have in the past sought the intervention of the Value Added Services Providers Association of Nigeria (VASPAN) and the Association of Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ATCON) with tones of letters written in that regard.
Nigeria CommunicationsWeek recalled that in 2013, NCC took first step to put in place, regulatory framework to protect consumers and also create revenue streams for service providers in the industry.
The exponential growth in the Nigerian telecoms industry gave rise to the evolution of VAS, where its operators provide support communications services to subscribers, via the smartphone.
They provide plethora of services such as news breaks, ring back tunes, telemarketing, mobile entertainment, flight information, among others. But such services are becoming a nuisance to telecoms subscribers as they constitute unethical practice, forcing unsolicited text messages on subscribers and compulsorily billing them for the services.
Revenue Sharing Formula
Till now, there has not been regulatory intervention to decide the revenue sharing formula hence it has been a business agreement of the telecom operator and the licensee involved.
It was discovered that the sharing formula varies depending on the bargaining powers between a licensee and the telecom operator. While some agree for revenue sharing on 40:60 percent with the telco taking the lion’s share, the least ratio is 15:85 per cent.
For instance, in pre-licensing era, Econet paid 60% of generated VAS revenue to the licensee. The peak of the market was between 2012 and 2013 but has been on downward trend since 2014.
The operators are also complaining that since revenue on voice calls started dropping, it has also affected the VAS segment, but the licensee have argued that they should be allowed to leverage on the data segment to shore up the revenue.
The debts are building up that a lot of VAS companies are folding up.
A particular VAS licensee which generated over one trillion naira for a big telco between 2014 and first quarter 2016, with a substantive agreement to be paid 20% of the revenue, has yet to receive any payment.
Even when the operator later agreed to pay, with a credit note, several months after the agreement is yet unfulfilled.
According to one of the licensees, “Some other operators if they agree to pay you they slash the percentage to their satisfaction, telling you they deducted commissions”.
When contacted on the matter, Mr. Hyacinth Anucha, coordinator, Value Added Service at ATCON, said that available documents show some discrepancies in the system requiring NCC’s regulatory intervention to sanitize the sub-sector.
“Although I cannot categorically say that this operator owns this VAS licensee this amount or the other, but there is need for regulatory intervention to make all parties feel fulfilled. If we should say NCC should intervene this year that means next year they are still going to intervene in the market. But if there is policy document in place it will deter anyone from owing while the VAS licensees leave up to their expectations too.
Speaking on the implications of the debts on the industry, he said, “Today we talk about local content and there is a framework for it. Then, we are not paying the people that are providing the content, of course we are sending them out of the market; that will also amount to job lose, sending a lot of people back to the labour market and encouraging crime. The youths are innovative. There must be a policy that supports them. If not, the smaller businesses will die. That is why believe there should be a policy to ensure the bigger players so not kill the smaller players”.
He however admitted that NCC has made efforts in the past to ensure the debts are recovered. “But what we are saying is that instead of intervention policy, there should be a regulatory policy on ensure these debts are not continued to be owned.
Recounting the number of VAS licensee that have closed shop due to stifle market forces, “About 30% of them are off. If you check you will not see them again”.
Meanwhile, Professor Umar Danbatta, EVC of NCC represented by Engineer Ubale Maska, executive commissioner (Technical Services) at the Commission gave some regulatory insights into VAS and Interconnect markets at TERF 2016.
He said that the Commission’s approach to interconnect and VAS debts in the telecom industry is persuasive.
The EVC said, “The regulator is not interested in micro managing financial and relationships between, and among service providers, that have been substantially protected by subsisting commercial agreements.
“Interconnect debts have not been really a big issue in the industry except in cases of disputes. But there have been cases of interconnect fees disputes between service providers. In such cases, the regulator has intervened. In the past one year, such intervention has resulted in payments of about N10.5 Billion from about reported N17 Billion disputed interconnect debts. Agreements have also been reached for the settlement of outstanding debts.
“On the VAS segment, we believe that the absence of detailed regulation with appropriate market segmentation is responsible for interconnect disputes. We have received reports, especially from the VAS providers, of alleged exploitation by the big operators. On the other hand, the service providers have complained about the parasitic nature of this service. There is also a fusion of roles between the identified market segments, resulting in distortions in the market”.
Prof. Danbatta added that the Commission has conducted a consultative process and is about concluding arrangements for introduction of a regulation to guide the activities of the VAS market. This will substantially address the issues arising from VAS interconnect debt.
A new non-profit advocacy group, the National Affordable Connectivity Advocacy Network (NACAN), has launched initiatives aimed at addressing broadband affordability challenges and promoting policy reforms for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria.
Broadband
The launch coincided with the 2026 edition of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD), themed: “Digital lifelines: Strengthening resilience in a connected world.”
NACAN said its primary objective is to bridge digital access gaps affecting Nigerian SMEs by reducing broadband costs, advocating regulatory reforms and improving digital capacity for small businesses.
As part of its rollout plans, the organisation unveiled the Southern Connectivity Voucher Pilot, a programme designed to provide subsidised data vouchers to small businesses in major commercial centres in southern Nigeria.
According to the group, the intervention is expected to reduce internet-related operational costs for businesses and improve digital access.
NACAN also announced plans to host the Niger Delta Digital Lifelines Roundtable in Port Harcourt, bringing together state ICT commissioners, internet service providers, telecom stakeholders and civil society groups.
The forum is expected to focus on strengthening resilient last-mile broadband infrastructure across underserved communities.
Speaking at the launch, National Coordinator of NACAN, Uchechukwu Emmanuel Ugochukwu, said internet access had become critical infrastructure for Nigerian businesses.
“In the current economic climate, internet access is no longer a luxury for Nigerian businesses; it is an infrastructure lifeline.
“We are debuting to ensure that high data costs and weak network reliability do not permanently exclude Nigerian SMEs from the global digital economy,” he said.
The organisation also unveiled a policy advocacy agenda targeting reforms on Right-of-Way charges and measures to reduce frequent network outages affecting businesses.
To deepen stakeholder engagement, NACAN said it is collaborating with industry groups including the Nigeria Information Technology Reporters Association (NITRA), the Niger Delta Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NDCCIMA), and the APC ICT Directorate, alongside private sector partners.
NACAN described itself as a non-profit initiative focused on promoting digital equity for Nigerian SMEs through advocacy for affordable, reliable and secure broadband infrastructure.
The group said its long-term goal is to support the integration of local businesses into the formal digital economy and stimulate inclusive economic growth.
Galaxy Backbone Limited (GBB) has said that sustained collaboration among African countries remains central to the continent’s drive toward digital transformation.
The organisation stressed that building secure, interoperable and inclusive digital systems across Africa cannot be achieved in isolation, calling for stronger regional partnerships to accelerate innovation and shared infrastructure development.
The position was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by the Head of Corporate Communications at Galaxy Backbone, Chidi Okpala.
As it prepares to host a major delegation of policymakers, technology leaders and development partners in Abuja, GBB said the engagement would further highlight the importance of cross-border cooperation in shaping Africa’s digital future.
Okpala explained that the initiative is designed to provide both dialogue and practical exposure to Nigeria’s digital infrastructure ecosystem.
According to him, the visit will allow delegates to better understand how shared ICT systems are supporting governance and service delivery in the country.
“This engagement will provide an opportunity for African stakeholders to not only discuss policy frameworks but also see firsthand how digital public infrastructure is being deployed to improve efficiency, connectivity and innovation in the public sector,” Okpala said.
He added that GBB’s hosting role reflects its growing importance in advancing digital governance and infrastructure development across the continent.
“Galaxy Backbone is increasingly positioned as a key enabler of trusted digital infrastructure, and this engagement reinforces that role within Nigeria and beyond,” he noted.
Speaking ahead of the programme, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Galaxy Backbone, Professor Ibrahim Adeyanju, said the future of Africa’s digital economy depends on the ability of countries to work together in building resilient systems.
“No single country can achieve the level of transformation required on its own. We must share knowledge, align strategies, and invest in systems that can serve the entire continent,” Adeyanju said.
According to the statement, the engagement will feature a continental dialogue themed “Building Africa’s Digital Foundations Together,” bringing together stakeholders from 11 African countries in Abuja.
The programme is being organised in partnership with Co-Develop, Smart Africa, and MicroSave Consulting, with discussions expected to focus on Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), digital identity systems, secure connectivity, interoperability frameworks, and inclusive digital ecosystems.
GBB said delegates will also undertake a guided tour of its infrastructure and facilities in Abuja, where they will be exposed to Nigeria’s digital transformation journey and the systems supporting cloud services, cybersecurity, government connectivity, and digital platforms.
The company noted that the tour is intended to demonstrate how shared ICT infrastructure is strengthening governance and enabling more efficient public service delivery.
Participants are expected to explore practical pathways for accelerating the deployment of digital public infrastructure to support economic growth and institutional reforms across Africa.
GBB maintained that the initiative also confirms Nigeria’s position as a regional hub for digital innovation and infrastructure development, while deepening cooperation among African nations.
MTN Nigeria reinforced its commitment to supporting African storytelling and emerging creative talent at the 12th Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA), held on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at Eko Hotels & Suites.
MTN Nigeria
Hosted by Bovi Ugboma and Nomzamo Mbatha, the star-studded event brought together some of the biggest names in African film, television, and entertainment for a night celebrating creativity, culture, and cinematic excellence.
As part of its participation at the Awards Night, MTN Nigeria sponsored the Best Short Film category, one of the standout moments of the evening aimed at recognising and rewarding emerging filmmakers shaping the future of African storytelling.
The award was presented by the General Manager, Enterprise Sales, MTN Nigeria, Febisola Oyeleye, alongside actor Jide Oyegbile.
The winning film, Hussaini, by filmmakers Orire Nwani and Josh Olaoluwa, earned both the prestigious AMVCA recognition and a ₦5 million cash prize sponsored by MTN Nigeria.
Speaking during the presentation of the cash prize to the winners, Chief Marketing Officer, MTN Nigeria, Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, reiterated MTN’s commitment to youth empowerment and supporting the creative industry through platforms that spotlight emerging talent.
According to her, the brand remains intentional about supporting young Nigerians who continue to push boundaries through creativity and storytelling. “At MTN, one of the things that we are so committed to is youth empowerment.
We believe that the youth of Nigeria are actually the future of the country. When we see young people being productive and coming out tops in what they do, it speaks to their commitment and ability to move beyond boundaries.
One of the ways we support the creative industry is through the short film category, and we are delighted to see deserving winners who are obviously on their way to great things,” she said.
The filmmakers behind Hussaini also celebrated the win, with one of the creators describing it as a defining moment after multiple nominations in the category.
“This is our last nomination in this category, and I’m excited we finally have it,” he said. “Next year, we are coming for Best Feature Film.”
Beyond the Awards Night, MTN’s presence throughout the AMVCA week extended to initiatives such as Young Filmmakers Day and the #MTNFilmChallenge, both designed to spotlight emerging talent and create opportunities for young creatives to tell authentic Nigerian and African stories through film and digital content.
With its continued investment in platforms that celebrate creativity and empower young storytellers, MTN Nigeria once again highlighted the important role partnerships can play in shaping the future of Africa’s entertainment industry.
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