Telecom
Group Raises Alarm, Asks CBN to Implement Sanction on MTN, Banks
SAY NO Campaign Nigeria, group of non-governmental orgsnisations, said there are attempts by private sectors and highly connected Nigerians to frustrate the sanctions the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on MTN and other banks over the recent financial infractions carried out by the latter.
The alarm has added a new twist in the ongoing legal war between the Central Bank of Nigeria, MTN and some banks that were recently fingered over financial infractions.
While the legal fireworks have commenced in the courts, but the CBN had recently hinted on possible review of the sanction.
The apex bank had sanctioned MTN Nigeria and some commercial banks (Standard Chartered Bank, Citibank, Diamond and Stanbic IBTC) over three trillion naira, for alleged financial infractions, violating the extant laws and regulations of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
SAY NO Campaign in a statement obtained by Daily Independent, said the action of the CBN communicates, in strong and unequivocal terms, Nigeria’s determination to fight corruption and deal decisively with Illicit Financial Flow (IFF).
Commending the apex bank for the move, the group emphasised the need to ensure full compliance with the decisions of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
It said: “Say No Campaign, without mincing words, supports such measures, that is, any measure that seeks to correct the array of corruption tendencies inherent in any sector of the society, and will therefore continue to work closely with stakeholders and anti-corruption agencies in exposing such acts of corruption that seeks to undermine the country’s economy and its fragile reputation. We frown at every attempt, by whomever and wherever placed, to intimidate the apex bank into reversing its earlier position on the defaulters. More importantly, the campaign will by its engagement on anti-corruption issues ensure that the interest of the common man is protected at all cost against the kleptomaniac tendencies and irresponsible behaviours of some selected few”
The group urged the anti-graft agencies to be extremely vigilant and monitor the operations of these indicted multinational companies and commercial entities in ensuring that under no circumstances should the conditions of the sanction be violated.
It also urged the Nigerian government and its officials to resist any attempt that may emanate from MTN or the commercial banks to relax any aspect of the fine/sanctions.
“The anti-graft agencies and apex bank must also be mindful of moles in its fold as we are already aware of some elements in some parastatals working to ensure that the sanctions are subverted. We will expose without fear or favour those indicted as soon as we gather the facts.
“While the campaign urges the media to remain watchful and keep the Nigerian citizens informed on the progression of the case, Nigerians are advised to be vigilant and expose any act that may subvert the decisions made by the apex bank as it concerns MTN and the indicted banks.
“For us at SAY No Campaign Nigeria, we will continue to work assiduously in partnership with other civil society organizations, the media and anti-craft agencies in ensuring that the general prosperity of the people – especially of unsuspecting citizens, is upheld at all times.
The Say No Campaign comprises: Ethics and Corporate Compliance Institute of Nigeria; State Of The Union (SOTU); Zero Corruption Coalition (ZCC); Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC);
Accountability Maternal New-born and Child Health in Nigeria (AMHiN); African Centre for Media and Information Literacy (AFRICMIL);Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD);Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD)
National Procurement Watch Platform (NPWP); National Tax Justice and Governance Platform, Nigeria Partners on Electoral Reform
Nigeria’s telecom operators recorded 155, 397 fibre-cut incidents between April and May 2026, and these they blame on why internet or calls suddenly stop working.
Data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) showed fibre-cut incidents increased from 74 276 in April to a record 79 121 in May, bringing the two-month total to the highest level recorded by the industry.
This represents a 2 428% increase from the 5 934 incidents reported during the first quarter of 2026.
Vandalism remained the leading cause of fibre cuts, accounting for more than 54 000 incidents despite telecom infrastructure being designated as Critical National Information Infrastructure, a classification intended to strengthen protection of key digital assets.
Also road construction constantly damages fiber where iggers and machines tear up buried cables during road repairs or construction.
Even with all these, some state governments make it hard for companies to fix cables quickly across different areas with all manners of fees and levies.
The NCC designation provides for penalties of up to 10 years’ imprisonment for offenders, but operators continue to face widespread infrastructure damage.
Proposed solutions, including Nigeria’s Dig-Once policy and AI-powered fibre sensing technologies, have yet to achieve widespread adoption.
The NCC is developing a cost-based framework for shared underground duct infrastructure, while operators are exploring AI-powered fibre sensing technologies that can detect cable damage in real time and improve network resilience.
Nigeria is pursuing ambitious broadband targets under its National Broadband Plan and has expanded fibre deployment to about 35 000 kilometres.
However, infrastructure protection has not kept pace with network expansion, leaving subscribers vulnerable to unreliable connectivity despite continued operator investment.
Standard Bank has partnered with Helios Towers to provide a $29 million Social Documentary Credit Facility. According to the financial services company, this transaction marks Standard Bank’s first Documentary Credit Facility structured in a Sustainable Finance format.
It notes that the facility will support the procurement and importation of telecommunications infrastructure and related services across Africa.
It will also provide payment certainty to suppliers, while supporting Helios Towers’ working capital requirements and infrastructure expansion programme, the bank adds.
Structured in accordance with the Loan Market Association’s Social Loan Principles, the financing is designed to promote digital connectivity and telecommunications infrastructure development in underserved markets.
This will help Helios Towers further expand its footprint and enhance mobile network coverage and connectivity across the continent.
Helios Towers operates one of Africa’s independent telecommunications tower platforms, enabling mobile network operators to extend coverage across multiple markets.
Standard Bank notes that the facility supports the expansion of tower infrastructure and services, increased network densification and improved connectivity in underserved markets and remote regions across the African continent.
It will also drive digital inclusion and tackle the digital divide while supporting economic growth and socio-economic development.
“This transaction demonstrates the power of innovation in trade finance. By combining a first-to-market Social Documentary Credit Facility with a cross-border funding solution, Standard Bank has supported Helios Towers’ growth ambitions while helping extend digital connectivity to underserved communities across Africa,” says Benoit Samouilhan, global transaction banker at Standard Bank Corporate and Investment Banking.
According to the bank, this facility enables positive social impact by increasing and improving network coverage and connectivity in some of the world’s most remote regions.
“Reliable digital infrastructure is fundamental to Africa’s future growth and development,” says Alex Carter, group finance director at Helios Towers.
“This facility provides us with the flexibility and certainty needed to support our ongoing infrastructure investments while advancing our mission of expanding connectivity across the continent. We value our longstanding relationship with Standard Bank and look forward to building on this partnership.”
Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) will on Thursday convene a stakeholders’ consultative forum to review the draft business rules for Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) in Nigeria.
NCC
The forum, scheduled to hold at 10 a.m. at the NCC Annex Office, Mbora, Abuja, is expected to bring together telecommunications operators, industry associations and other stakeholders to provide input on the proposed regulatory framework before its finalisation.
The commission announced the event on its official social media platforms, inviting interested stakeholders to participate in the consultation process.
The engagement is part of the NCC’s efforts to strengthen the regulatory framework for MVNO operations and promote greater competition, innovation and consumer choice in Nigeria’s telecommunications sector.
Mobile Virtual Network Operators are telecommunications service providers that offer mobile services by leasing network capacity from licensed Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), rather than owning spectrum licences or telecommunications infrastructure.
The NCC has identified the MVNO licensing framework as one of its initiatives aimed at deepening competition, expanding access to telecommunications services and driving digital inclusion across the country.
The consultative forum is expected to provide stakeholders with the opportunity to review the draft business rules, make recommendations and contribute to the development of a robust operational framework for the emerging MVNO segment.
The commission is expected to issue further details on the outcome of the consultation after the meeting.
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