Telecom
Nigeria Now A Fertile Ground For Startups To Thrive, Says NITDA Boss
Mallam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, director general, National Information Technology Development Agency, (NITDA), has described Nigeria as a fertile ground on which Startups could explore to thrive and provide solutions that could solve mirage of problems bedeviling the nation.
Mallam Abdullahi expressed this view over the weekend through the Agency’s Director of Information Technology Infrastructure Solutions, Dr Abdullahi Gambo while addressing the startups who are undergoing a one week Start Up Clinic in Kebbi, the second online edition of the programme.
Start up Clinic, Kebbi (Online) with 18 participants was the second in the series of virtual Start Up Clinic programme which has become the norm since the lockdown caused by COVID 19 in order to keep engaging the tech ecosystem.
The DG stated that the government is aware of the economic benefits and contributions of technology entrepreneurship to the nation’s economy, hence the pursuant of reforms that would bring about improved skills and more competitive digital job market.
He said, “we are committed to ensuring that you succeed because when start up thrives, jobs are created, local content is promoted and used, peers are inspired to try and a chain reaction is activated.
The NITDA boss added that this would gradually move many youths away from job chasers to job creators and dependence on government would be reduced with resultant effect of increased Gross Domestic Products, (GDP.)
He reiterated that the development of a thriving and sustainable technology and innovation ecosystem are key economic driver for the nation noting that the leadership of the nation is seeking to minimize dependence on oil by diversifying the economy and develop entirely new industries and also support the existing ones.
While assuring that NITDA would support policies and public-private partnership that would stimulate and sustain the demand for the use of digital platforms, the DG observed that such policies and partnership would foster growth of innovative technology which would create more jobs and contribute to the GDP of the country.
In his commendation to the participants for their doggedness and determination they have expressed thus far, Abdullahi expressed that their being at the event meant that they are determined to create solutions that tackle the most pressing societal issues.
“It also means you have taken on the tedious journey of being innovators and entrepreneurs, he added.
“As a start up, the most popular words you hear include capital, investment, equity and being consistent. All these are important but more importantly, you would require passion.
“This is because passion keeps you going during the turbulent time. As the lead innovator, if you are not passionate about what your start up has set out to achieve, you are more likely to quit when the chips are down”, he advised.
Mallam Abdullahi expressed his optimism that the startups would succeed if they take cognisance of what the Clinics offered them by evaluating their enterprise and make review to their model where necessary, accessing the mentors and facilitators to help with Pro Bono professional services, advice and mentorship among others practical approach measures.
In their testimonies, the startups unanimously agreed that the various courses underwent in the last four days have really impacted on their business ideas and redefined their focus on how to achieve success.
Sodiq Abdulfati, an agriculturist innovator said he has discovered the solutions to his major challenge of how to identify target customer with add on the model on how to get the target customer.
“So far, the past four days have been a turning point of my business. I have learnt how to identify people and model that will work in my community.
In her remarks, Dr Amina Magaji Sambo, national coordinator, Office for ICT Innovation and Entrepreneurship, whose office is saddled with organising the Clinics advised the startups to keep engaging with the office through its various social media platforms.
She said that there are many opportunities the start up could benefit from her office adding that the office would soon commence special support scheme and also find way to access the federal government technological grant which the start ups can also access.
MTN Nigeria has raised the bar for corporate disclosure in Africa after publishing its 2025 sustainability report in full compliance with International Financial Reporting Standards S1 and S2.
Dr. Karl Toriola, CEO of MTN Nigeria,
The report, independently assured by Ernst & Young, marks the telecom operator’s seventh consecutive annual sustainability publication and third year as an early adopter of the global framework ahead of its mandatory implementation.
Dr. Karl Toriola, CEO of MTN Nigeria, said, “strong governance and ethical conduct are foundational to our sustainability strategy. We reinforced compliance through our Conduct Passport Framework and robust internal controls.”
He added that “in May 2025, we became the first telecommunications company in Nigeria to publicly present a sustainability report on the Nigerian Exchange Group platform, an important milestone in our commitment to IFRS S1 and S2- aligned disclosure and accountability.”
The company also secured Carbon Disclosure Project ratings of ‘B-’ for climate change and ‘C’ for water security.
Under the IFRS S2 framework, the telecoms operator disclosed climate-related risks linked to flooding, heat stress, regulatory changes and possible future taxes or charges on carbon emissions, following a climate scenario analysis completed in 2024.
The report also showed that MTN Nigeria now uses a digital reporting format – XBRL. This makes its sustainability and governance data easier for investors and ESG rating agencies to access and analyse through automated systems.
The Company also carried out assessments to understand how sustainability issues affect both its business operations and society at large, while measuring its overall economic, environmental and social impact from 2021 to 2024.
In addition, over one-third of MTN Nigeria’s biggest suppliers (based on spending) have committed to supporting the company’s net-zero emissions goals, although these commitments have not yet gone through an independent audit or verification process.
Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) have announced a new compliance requirement mandating telecommunications companies to obtain regulatory approval before effecting significant changes in their ownership structure.
The directive, jointly issued by the two agencies, requires any proposed transfer of ownership or control of shares amounting to 10 per cent or more of the total share capital of a company licensed by the NCC to secure a Letter of No Objection from the commission before such transactions can be registered with the CAC.
The agencies said the requirement was in line with the provisions of Section 90 of the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003, Regulation 28(2) of the Competition Practices Regulations, 2007, and Regulation 42 of the Licensing Regulations, 2019.
According to the statement, the regulations empower the NCC to oversee and review transactions involving licensed communications companies and ensure fair competition within the sector.
“Effective immediately, any proposed transfer of ownership or control of shares in a licensee of the Nigerian Communications Commission amounting to 10 per cent or more of the total share capital, as well as any series of share transfers which in aggregate exceed 10 per cent of the total share capital of the licensee, shall require a Letter of No Objection from NCC in order for the changes to be effected and registered with the CAC,” the statement said.
The agencies explained that the CAC would henceforth ensure that all applications for changes in shareholding structures involving 10 per cent or more of a telecommunications company’s share capital are accompanied by evidence of prior approval from the NCC.
They noted that the measure was aimed at preserving a fair and competitive market structure within the communications sector by preventing direct or indirect anti-competitive practices.
According to the statement, the new requirement will also strengthen regulatory oversight of significant changes in ownership and control of licensed telecommunications operators.
The agencies said the initiative would enhance transparency, boost investor confidence, provide regulatory certainty and safeguard the long-term sustainability and stability of the communications industry.
The NCC and CAC reaffirmed their commitment to promoting a transparent, stable and competitive business environment in Nigeria.
They pledged to continue working closely to ensure fair market practices, strengthen regulatory certainty and support the orderly and sustainable development of the nation’s communications sector.
National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to promote locally manufactured renewable energy technologies under the Federal Government’s ‘Nigeria First Policy’.
L-R: EVC/CEO, National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu; Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Dr. Adebowale Abraham Adedokun; and Dr. Abba Abubakar Aliyu, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), at the signing of the MoU on implementation of Nigeria First Policy for offtake of NSSENI’s renewable energy products for rural electrification projects held on Friday, June 19, 2026 at BPP’s office in Abuja.
The agreement signing was facilitated by the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Dr. Adebowale Abraham Adedokun at the BPP headquarters in Abuja on Friday, June 19, 2026.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of NASENI, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, said the Agency is focused on linking research, production, and commercialization to ensure that innovations are translated into market-ready products.
He said “NASENI would scale up renewable energy production, including solar panels and streetlights, through initiatives such as DefFrontier, to strengthen local manufacturing and reduce import dependence, adding that the Agency will meet the renewable energy requirements of REA.”
Instead of continuous importation of technologies, machines and equipment for producing renewable energy solutions, NASENI by this MoU will be committed to local manufacturing and domestication of the technologies, equipment and other ways and means of proliferation of renewable resource in the country and to increase the nation’s off-grid energy solutions.
The Managing Director/CEO of REA, Dr. Abba Abubakar Aliyu, described the relationship with NASENI as a strategic partnership aimed at building Nigeria’s renewable energy ecosystem through local production and deployment.
He stated that “while NASENI provides the manufacturing and technological capacity for renewable equipment, REA will focus on deploying solutions to expand electricity across rural areas.”
Meanwhile, the Director-General of BPP, Dr. Adebowale Abraham Adedokun, said the Nigeria First Policy, exemplified by this agreement, is aimed at strengthening local content, ensuring value for money, and promoting accountability in public procurement.
He emphasized that implementation of the agreement will be performance-based, with strict monitoring to ensure compliance and measurable outcome. He added that the MoU is expected to deepen collaboration between NASENI and REA in expanding renewable energy and reducing dependence on imported technologies.
The MoU will be implemented through NASENI’s subsidiary company, NASENI Devfrontier Green Energy FZE and REA limited liability company, RAMco.The two Federal Government agencies seek to establish a strategic collaboration under which REA shall offtake PV modules, inverters, energy storage batteries of NASENI-Devfrontier Green Energy FZE directly or through its approved distribution companies/assembly and manufacturing factory.
As part of the agreement, REA shall provide institutional visibility to enable NASENI participate in electrification projects; facilitate opportunities for engagements between NASENI and eligible developers/contractors under REA programs; ensure that such facilitation is consistent with applicable procurement, local content, and transparency requirements; and also collaborate with NASENI in promoting standardized, high-quality PV technologies across its programme portfolio.
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