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EU Sets Deadline to End Roaming Charges, WATRA, Others Observe

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After years of negotiation, the European Union’s plan to end roaming charges across the continent on 15 June 2017 is now a step closer.

Negotiators from the European Parliament, Commission and Council this week agreed on price caps for the amount that carriers will pay one another when their when their customers call, send texts or use data within the EU.

“Goodbye roaming,” tweeted Miapetra Kumpula-Natri, the EU lawmaker who negotiated for setting wholesale rates on behalf of the European parliament.

Wholesale roaming charges have been fixed at EUR 7.70 per gigabyte from June 2017, reducing to EUR 2.50 per gigabyte in 2022. Phone calls will be set at EUR 0.032 per minute and sending a text will cost EUR 0.01 from June 2017. The caps will be reviewed every two years.

Wholesale charges for mobile data was one of the most controversial aspects of the deal, given Europe’s high mobile Internet consumption rates.

And wide differences in national prices and consumption patterns made reaching a Europe-wide agreement over wholesale charges for data a difficult task.

Caps needed to be low enough for operators offer roaming at no extra cost to customers without raising domestic prices, but high enough to recover their costs.

Price Caps Too High?
However, the price caps are set too high, argues MVNO Europe, which represents the interests of the Mobile Virtual Network Operators that serve more than 10% of the EU’s mobile customers.

“With excessive wholesale roaming charges, dominant mobile operators will be the only ones to drive the market, adding barriers for smaller players,” said MVNO Europe in a statement. “MVNOs, being the first-movers in offering innovative services, are therefore crucial for competition adding real value on the telecoms market and to end-users.”

Innocenzo Genna, MVNO Europe Vice-President, stated that, “European citizens expect the end of the roaming surcharges to happen without losing competitive tariffs and innovative offers: by contrast, with the present deal on wholesale caps, they will be heavily disappointed.”

Other Regions Will Be Watching
Roaming charges are, of course, an important issue for consumers and service providers worldwide. And getting the balance right is often a challenge for regulators.

Harmonizing an agreement across borders can be even more challenging, which is why Europe’s moves will be watched across the world.

Other regional moves to end roaming charges include recent agreements by a group of west African nations to abolish international mobile voice roaming charges.

On 31 March 2017, travelers between Togo, Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea, Mali, Burkina Faso and Senegal will be able to make and receive calls as if they were in their own country. The move follows similar efforts across the continent in East Africa.

West Africa
The West African Telecommunications Regulatory Agency (WATRA) in March 2016 said it is putting up a guideline that will harmonise roaming activities of the ECOWAS region. These guidelines are being developed for a seamless interconnection and roaming of telephone users in West Africa.

This was made known when Alhaji Maman Laminou, executive secretary of WATRA, led delegates from WATRA to Abuja on a visit to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

He added that the harmonisation and many other issues will form the basis for discussions at the yearly general meeting in April 2016.

Nigeria
Also, in January 2016, and following the Consultation Paper on National Mobile Roaming, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) disclosed plans to implement a national mobile roaming strategy that will help operators in the country strengthen their operations.

The national mobile roaming is the ability of a cellular customer to automatically make and receive voice calls, send and receive data, or access other services, including data services, when travelling outside the coverage area of the home network, by means of using a visited network.

Prof. Umar Danbatta, executive vice chairman of NCC, national mobile roaming is a feature in several communication licences but it has not yet been utilized in the country.

Danbatta said even though it was technically possible to provide facility for domestic roaming, appropriate legal and regulatory framework have to be in place in order to encourage as well as assist the operators in realising roaming arrangement between them without any uncertainty.

 


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Enugu to Host The Gathering on 100 as MTN-Backed Youth Movement Expands Across Nigeria

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Nigeria’s fast-rising youth culture and innovation community, The Gathering on 100, is heading to Enugu, with registration now open for gamers, performers, DJs, creatives, and culture enthusiasts.

Enugu to Host The Gathering on 100 as MTN-Backed Youth Movement Expands Across Nigeria

MTN

The Enugu edition will take place on June 19, 2026, at ICC Hall, Okpara Square, and will bring together a new audience for the platform’s signature blend of music, gaming, live performance, community engagement, and youth-driven entertainment.

The Gathering on 100 first gained national attention in Lagos, where it transformed the National Stadium, Surulere, into a continuous 100-hour ecosystem of activity from April 22–26, 2026.

The event combined culture, commerce, entrepreneurship, gaming, fashion, and live entertainment, attracting thousands of young participants and creating opportunities for emerging talent and businesses.

The movement most recently arrived in Aba, where thousands of young people gathered for a weekend of culture, commerce and entrepreneurship, reinforcing the platform’s growing appeal across different communities and audiences.

The move to Enugu is being framed by organisers as a deliberate expansion into one of Nigeria’s largest student and youth populations. Home to major institutions including the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Godfrey Okoye University and Coal City University, Enugu attracts thousands of young people from across the country each year, creating a vibrant community shaped by education, creativity, entertainment and entrepreneurship.

This concentration of young talent has helped fuel a growing ecosystem of creators, performers, gamers, digital entrepreneurs and small business owners.

In recent years, the city has hosted an increasing number of technology, entertainment and youth-focused events, reflecting the growing demand for platforms that bring together creativity, opportunity and community.

These dynamics make Enugu a natural next stop for The Gathering on 100, a platform built around showcasing talent, fostering connections and creating opportunities for young Nigerians.

Registration for the Enugu edition is now open through The Gathering’s official website, with participation available across multiple categories including gaming, rap battles, DJ competitions, dance, live performances and entrepreneurship.

A key highlight of the event will be the Pitchathon, where emerging founders and business owners will have the opportunity to present their ideas before a panel of judges for a chance to secure grant funding and support for business growth.

The gaming segment will feature competitive tournaments and interactive experiences designed for both casual and serious players, while rap battles and DJ showdowns will spotlight rising talent from Enugu and neighbouring states.

Attendees can also expect a large scale rave experience, live entertainment and community driven activities designed to bring together different corners of the region’s youth culture under one roof.

Beyond the entertainment, organisers say The Gathering on 100 is designed to create real opportunities for young people to connect, collaborate and gain visibility for their talents, ideas and businesses.

As the movement continues its expansion across Nigeria, the Enugu edition is expected to showcase the city’s unique blend of creativity, ambition and cultural influence while providing a platform for the next generation of innovators, performers and entrepreneurs.


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Prof. Dzidonu Urges Universities to Produce Deep Thinkers for AI Age

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Professor Clement K. Dzidonu, President of Accra Institute of Technology (AIT), has said that the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence, automation, and digital transformation demands graduates who are capable of independent thinking, continuous learning, innovation, and responsible leadership.

Prof. Dzidonu Urges Universities to Produce Deep Thinkers for AI Age

Professor Clement K. Dzidonu, President of Accra Institute of Technology (AIT).

Professor Dzidonu noted that universities exist not merely to award degrees but to develop capable human beings who can think critically, solve problems creatively, adapt to changing circumstances, and contribute meaningfully to society.

He reiterated AIT’s commitment to producing graduates who are technically competent, ethically grounded, intellectually curious, and globally competitive.

The Accra Institute of Technology (AIT) has officially welcomed newly admitted students into its academic community at a colourful matriculation ceremony held on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at the university’s Knowledge City Campus-Kokomlemle in Accra.

Speaking on the theme, “Preparing the Sovereign Learner for a World of Opportunity, Possibility and Difference,” the President encouraged students to adopt the Opportunity–Possibility–Difference (OPD) Perspective by recognizing opportunities, exploring possibilities, and creating meaningful differences in their lives and communities. He urged them to see beyond examinations and certificates and focus on building capability, character, and courage.

The ceremony marked a significant milestone in the lives of the new students as they formally became members of the AIT scholarly community, joining a university renowned for excellence in technology-driven education, innovation, research, and professional development.

The matriculating class comprises students pursuing programmes in Engineering, Information Technology, Computer Science, Business Administration, Occupational Health and Safety Management, Project Management, and doctoral studies.

Addressing the matriculating class, the President of AIT, Professor Clement K. Dzidonu, congratulated the students on their admission and challenged them to embrace what he termed “The Age of the Sovereign Learner.” He emphasized that the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence, automation, and digital transformation demands graduates who are capable of independent thinking, continuous learning, innovation, and responsible leadership.

Professor Dzidonu further challenged the students to make the most of the opportunities available to them at AIT by attending lectures consistently, acting ethically, managing their time wisely, and committing themselves to lifelong learning.

He reminded them that success at the university would depend not only on the resources and support systems provided by AIT but also on their personal commitment to excellence and self-development.

On behalf of the newly admitted students, Mr. Samuel Peace Kamara delivered the matriculants’ acceptance speech, expressing gratitude to the university’s leadership, faculty, and staff for the warm reception extended to the new students.

He pledged, on behalf of his colleagues, that they would uphold the values of the university, work diligently in their studies, and strive to become responsible professionals capable of making meaningful contributions to society.

The ceremony concluded with a formal declaration admitting the students into membership of the university community and a call on them to embrace the opportunities before them, pursue excellence, and contribute positively to national and global development.


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FG Debunks Claims of Plans to Introduce Telecoms, Fuel Taxes

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Federal government has dismissed reports suggesting it plans to introduce new taxes on telecommunications services and petroleum products, describing the claims as false and misleading.

FG Clears the Air on New Fuel and Telecom Tax Reports

The clarification was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Federal Ministry of Finance and signed by Mrs Maryann Duke, Senior Special Assistant on Communications and Press Secretary to the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy.

According to the ministry, reports linking the alleged taxes to recommendations contained in the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Article IV Consultation on Nigeria do not reflect the position of the government.

It explained that recommendations contained in IMF consultation reports are advisory in nature and do not constitute policy decisions or binding obligations on the Federal Government.

“The Federal Government is not considering the introduction of any new taxes on telecommunications services or petroleum products,” the statement said.

The ministry also clarified that existing tax arrangements relating to petroleum products remain unchanged.

It stated that the Value Added Tax (VAT) waiver on fuel remains in force and has not been removed.

According to the statement, any fuel surcharge can only be introduced through a ministerial order published in the Official Gazette, noting that no such action is currently under consideration.

The ministry added that the current policy framework has helped cushion the impact of fluctuations in global fuel prices on households and businesses across the country.

On telecommunications services, the government said the excise duty introduced before 2023 had already been repealed under the country’s new tax laws.

It stressed that the duty is no longer in effect.

The ministry urged Nigerians, businesses and media organisations to disregard reports suggesting that new taxes would be imposed on telecommunications services and petroleum products.

It reiterated that Nigeria’s tax reform agenda remains focused on improving revenue administration, promoting economic growth and attracting investments rather than increasing the tax burden on citizens.

The ministry further assured that any future tax policy changes would be communicated through official channels and implemented in accordance with due process and existing legal provisions.

It reaffirmed the government’s commitment to transparency and responsible economic management aimed at supporting sustainable growth and protecting the welfare of Nigerians.


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