The organizing committee of the 2026 Nigeria DigitalSENSE Forum (NDSF) on Internet Governance for Development (IG4D) is proud to announce Dr. Olusola Teniola as the Chairman for this year’s landmark event.

A seasoned leader with over 32 years of global experience in the telecommunications and technology sectors, Dr. Teniola brings a wealth of strategic expertise to the forum.

The Convener of NDSF and Group Executive Editor, ITREALMS Media group, Ogbuefi Remmy Nweke, welcomed the appointment, noting that Dr. Teniola’s leadership comes at a pivotal time for Nigeria’s digital economy.

Dr. Teniola currently serves as the Director of Strategic Business Initiatives at ipNX Nigeria, where he leads market expansion across West and Central Africa.

His recent contributions as a Digital Development Consultant to the World Bank Group for the May 2025 Country Private Sector Diagnostic report further underscore the high-level expertise he brings to the 2026 forum.

Dr. Teniola’s career is defined by high-impact leadership and infrastructure development:

• He previously served as COO for Oodua Infraco Resource Limited, overseeing the deployment of 870km of digital infrastructure in Southwest Nigeria.
• He is the past President of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) and succeeded Dr. Ernest Ndukwe as the National Coordinator for the Alliance for Affordable Internet (A4ai).
• His background includes executive roles at global giants such as British Telecom, Vodafone, Cisco Inc, and Alcatel-Lucent Technologies.
• He has been a vital contributor to the Nigerian Broadband Plan (2012-2013 and 2020-2025) and currently serves on the IPv6 Council.

Dr. Teniola holds a B.Eng (Hons) in Computer & Information Engineering from South Bank University, an MBA from the University of Bath School of Management, and an Honorary Doctorate (DBA) from Prowess University.

He is a Fellow of the MSME Institute of Management & Professional Studies and a member of the Chartered Institute of Directors (IoD) Nigeria.

Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) says ongoing investments and regulatory interventions in the telecommunications sector are expected to address persistent quality of service challenges across the country.

NCC

In a statement signed by the Head of Public Affairs, Nnenna Ukoha, on Wednesday, the commission acknowledged public concerns over dropped calls, slow internet speeds, unstable data services and service disruptions affecting consumers.

The commission said telecommunications services had become central to work, education, business, access to essential services and social connectivity, adding that consumers deserved reliable services and value for money.

According to the NCC, improving quality of service has remained a major regulatory priority over the past two years.

It said the commission had intensified monitoring of Mobile Network Operators, Internet Service Providers and Tower Companies, while strengthening data-driven oversight and stakeholder engagement to address structural challenges affecting service delivery.

The commission disclosed that the sector was undergoing one of its largest network expansion and modernisation phases in recent years following a prolonged period of under-investment.

It said Mobile Network Operators invested more than N2.13 trillion in network infrastructure and upgrades in 2025, while Tower Companies invested an additional N373.8 billion.

According to the NCC, the investments supported the addition and upgrade of more than 2,800 telecommunications sites nationwide to improve network coverage and capacity.

The commission said interventions included deployment of additional 4G and 5G infrastructure, fibre backhaul expansion, targeted deployments in high-demand urban areas, expansion into underserved communities and equipment upgrades.

It added that operators had committed to adding or upgrading more than 12,000 sites in 2026, with nearly 3,000 already completed.

The NCC also said over 730 additional 5G sites had been deployed across 27 states in 2026.

The commission noted that 4G penetration rose from 45 per cent in January 2024 to 54 per cent currently, while national median download speeds improved from 16.5Mbps to 20Mbps within the same period.

It further said power availability at telecom towers improved from a national average of 99.3 per cent in January 2025 to 99.7 per cent.

According to the commission, spectrum reallocation among major operators and spectrum block rearrangements were also being implemented to improve network efficiency and service performance.

The NCC, however, acknowledged persistent external challenges affecting service quality, including vandalism, theft of telecom equipment, fibre cuts, power disruptions and access denial for maintenance.

It disclosed that more than 27,000 avoidable fibre-cut incidents linked mainly to road construction and vandalism were recorded in 2025.

The commission said it was collaborating with the Office of the National Security Adviser and other stakeholders to implement the Presidential Order on Critical National Information Infrastructure.

It added that operators had been mandated to notify consumers of major service outages promptly and restore services within specified timeframes.

The NCC said enforcement of the updated Quality of Service Regulations 2024 commenced in November 2025, including consumer compensation measures for poor service quality and additional investment obligations on Tower Companies.

It warned that regulatory action would continue against operators that fail to deliver measurable improvements.

The commission reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring affordable, reliable and high-quality telecommunications services for all Nigerians.

Azeez Amida, Former Chief Executive Officer of Pan African Towers, has shared his experience of rebuilding his life and career 16 months after exiting the organisation, highlighting challenges including unpaid severance and personal recovery.

Azeez Amida

Amida disclosed this in a post shared on LinkedIn, where he reflected on his transition from executive leadership and the emotional, financial and personal realities that followed his departure.

According to him, discussions and legal processes are still ongoing over unresolved severance payments involving Development Partners International and Verod.

He, however, noted that beyond the corporate dispute, the experience had exposed the deeper personal impact of leaving a senior leadership position.

Amida said transitioning from a top executive role was not merely a career change but could trigger an identity crisis, especially when professional titles become closely linked to personal worth and public perception.

He observed that organisations often move on quickly after leadership changes, while affected individuals are left to quietly rebuild their lives and redefine themselves outside their former positions.

The former CEO outlined lessons from his recovery journey, including prioritising emotional healing before reacting to difficult situations, maintaining transparency with family on financial realities, and adjusting lifestyle expectations.

He also advised against pursuing distractions or unrealistic opportunities during vulnerable periods, while emphasising the importance of routines that support mental wellbeing.

According to him, separating personal survival from ongoing disputes and embracing humility are critical parts of rebuilding.

Amida further reflected on society’s tendency to associate relevance and respect with positions rather than character, noting that perceptions can shift rapidly once titles are lost.

Despite the challenges, he said the experience had reinforced the possibility of renewal after major professional setbacks.

He encouraged professionals facing similar transitions to remember that their value is not defined solely by titles or organisations.

“Before any title or organisation became part of your story, you already existed, and if you created value once, you can do it again,” he stated.

Amida’s reflection has sparked conversations online around executive wellbeing, unemployment, mental health, resilience and the need for stronger support systems during career transitions.