General News
A Flawed Policy Draft, an Optimistic Johnson
By now Mrs. Omobola Johnson, minister of communication technology would have realized that the Nigerian ICT terrain is trodden with several booby-traps and uncertainty; such as can make a lily livered politician take the easy way out. And the easy could mean not hurting established order, especially technocrats in the system. Technocrats are basically made up of civil servants, and other public office holders (some like to brand them hangers-on) who have so perfected the art of sharetocracy that any talk of changing the existing order would mean do-or-die. These groups of persons understand the inner workings of government and they take charge of shielding every truth from a pragmatic leader. Public and civil service workers do not readily see opportunities of invention in the system, but they easily identify loopholes to exploit for personal gains. And it is this unholy practice that has dragged down good intentions of every successive government, and by extension the country’s lack of progress towards attainment of goals. On Friday, March 9, 2012 the minister hosted ICT stakeholders in Lagos to present the draft of the national information communication technology (ICT) policy. Since assumption of office, Johnson has made it a policy not be late for official engagement, a trait not readily found among Nigeria’s officialdom; and that was the initial signal she was a different breed. At 9.15am, the Lagos City Hall was less than a third full but with Johnson already in attendance, the programme commence. Uncharacteristically also there were no formalities of introduction of high and low tables. She commenced with a brief exposition of the policy process, following on Dr. Daudu, permanent secretary’s remarks. “This isn’t the final document yet, it is still a draft policy and the aim is to harmonise all existing policies in the information and communications technology sector into a single ICT policy,” she stated. Johnson noted that key performance indicators (KPIs) were deliberately omitted in the policy draft as they would form the second part of its evolution process. “KPIs will continue to grow along (with) the line of development,” said Johnson. But she didn’t fail to remind her audience that the administration was fully committed to the attainment of a converged regulatory ecosystem. With that she let the stakeholders have their say on the policy document. And one after the other, speakers picked holes in the policy draft beginning with the 9-member committee headed by Professor Raymond Akwule, which comprised only public servants including three of the minister’s personal aides. Mrs. Florence Seriki, chief executive of a leading OEM in Nigeria, Omatek Computers pointed out the flaws between policy set-up and implementation. As president of information technology association of Nigeria, (ITAN) Seriki noted that the country’s universal service provision fund (USPF) has not been used positively affect the industry. “We must redirect our IT mindset. We cannot achieve new policy without manufacturing. A small and medium enterprise (SMEs) fund should be set up to redirect this new framework. But as it is now, we must begin to ask ourselves: how many OEMs are still in operation in this country? The government policy is effectively directed against innovation and growth of local OEMs,” said Seriki. At the end of the day, it became apparent the committee had made several fundamental omissions. Interest groups such the Nigeria telecom consumers association pointed out the error of omitting a consumer’s protection clause. The document’s lack of clarity on direction for national PC penetration, broadband penetration and internet governance were all noted. Johnson also agreed with critics of the policy draft that harmonization and convergence would not come easy. As noted in section 7.14.2 (Strategies); it would take review and harmonization of existing national laws and creating new laws to drive the ICT sector. It would also mean amendment of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution to “permit the issuance of broadcasting licenses by the regulator.” As noted in the draft policy, the “reality of technological and market convergence implies that existing policies relating to the ICT sector in Nigeria are in need of a critical review. Most of the objectives in the existing policies have been overtaken by technological advancement and market transformation worldwide. A key requirement is the development of appropriate policies, as well as legal and regulatory framework that foster an enabling environment.” Some of the technological and market realities formed the core of challenge mounted by leaders of the courier industry against the continued existence of the Nigerian postal service (Nipost) as both a regulator and last mile service provider. Ralph Ozodu, managing director and chief executive of UPS Nigeria called it “unfair” trade practice to have Nipost regulator a market it is an active player. Sule Umar Bichi, managing director of FedEx Nigeria also branded it unfair competition. He noted that government has given Nipost undue advantage over competition.
General News
Indigenous Firm Deploys 400,000 Smart Electricity Meters in 2025

MOJEC International Limited has revealed that it deployed over 400,000 smart meters nationwide in 2025, representing a significant year-on-year growth for the indigenous smart meter manufacturer.

This performance reflected a 33.3 percent increase over the 300,000 meters deployed in 2024, highlighting the scale and acceleration of MOJEC’s metering operations.
Chantelle Abdul, group managing director, attributed the sustained impact to deliberate investments in infrastructure, people, and technology.
“MOJEC operates two state-of-the-art meter production facilities with a combined installed capacity of up to five million meters annually. This scale enables us not just to meet current demand, but to support Nigeria’s long-term metering and energy efficiency goals,” she said.
She further noted that MOJEC’s expansive installer ecosystem, comprising over 5,000 trained professionals nationwide, remains a critical enabler of its delivery advantage, ensuring speed, quality, and compliance across diverse terrains and markets.
The company stated that the deployment surge reflected growing confidence by Distribution Companies (DisCos) and sector stakeholders in MOJEC’s technical capacity, delivery speed, and end-to-end metering solutions.
According to Monday Ubogu, MOJEC’s head of installation, the scale and consistency of delivery set the company apart.
“Within the first three quarters of the year, MOJEC completed about 300,000 installations, accounting for roughly 40 percent of total installations nationwide during that period.
“The momentum continued into the final quarter with an additional 150,000 meters deployed, highlighting our operational depth and nationwide reach,” he said.
Ubogu added that MOJEC’s performance builds on decades of sector engagement, spanning key national metering initiatives including CAPMI, MAF, Vendor Financing, MAP Phases I & II, and NMMP 0, with the company having deployed nearly four million meters since the privatisation of NESI.
According to the company, a substantial portion of the deployment was driven by MOJEC Meter Asset Management Company (M3AC), the Group’s asset management subsidiary, which accounted for about 350,000 installations.
General News
Globacom Donates ₦1Bn to Lagos State Security Trust Fund

In its bid to contribute its quota to the consolidation of security in Nigeria’s commercial capital, Lagos, telecommunications giant, Globacom, has thrown its weight behind the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) with a donation of ₦1 billion.

The generous donation was announced at a Private Sector Breakfast Meeting with CEOs, convened at the instance of the Executive Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Friday, January 30, 2026 and shows the company’s commitment to fostering public safety which would in turn, culminate in enhanced prosperity and social re-engineering in the state.
The donation, which is the biggest private-sector intervention from the telecommunications sector to the Fund in recent years, again shows that Globacom is a responsible, responsive and people-oriented corporate citizen.
Globacom disclosed that the intervention emphasized deeper collaboration between government and the state’s business community especially in relation to security, innovation and economic resilience—an agenda which the digital solutions company has unabashedly supported through sustained social investments.
The Executive Secretary/CEO of the Fund, Dr. Ayo Ogunsan, in his display of appreciation described Globacom’s largesse as “a powerful demonstration of corporate citizenship and a strategic investment in the stability of Lagos State,” saying since LSSTF was established to bridge funding gaps in security infrastructure, it desired voluntary contributions from corporate bodies and well-meaning collaborators.
Dr. Ogunsan promised that the ₦1 billion donation will significantly enhance the Fund’s capacity to address critical priorities for 2026, including multipurpose security helicopters and drones, Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs), water cannons, digital communication equipment and Smart CCTV systems. These assets, he added, were germane to proactive policing, rapid response and intelligence-led operations across the state.
He therefore encouraged Lagosians to support businesses that invest in the safety and development of the state, saying, “When companies step forward to secure our environment, residents should reciprocate by patronizing them. Their support directly impacts the protection of lives, property and economic activity.”
A statement from Globacom explained that the donation was an expression of the company’s staunch belief in Nigeria’s future. “At Globacom, we see security not as a government burden alone, but as a shared responsibility. When people feel safe, enterprise grows, creativity flourishes and hope becomes practical. Our support for the LSSTF is about protecting the everyday dreams of millions of Lagosians,” he noted.
With this donation to the LSSTF, Globacom has furthered its tradition of investing directly in the conditions like safety, confidence and stability which help commerce to thrive. Consequent on the support, LSSTF is gingered to raise the bar of security thereby concretizing Lagos State’s position as Nigeria’s safest and most vibrant commercial hub.
This recent financial intervention from Globacom is in tandem with its avowed commitment to social responsibility that is practical, timely, scalable and aligned with national priorities.
The company’s interventions in the past decades have spanned relief efforts for flood-affected communities, support for displaced persons, advanced youth skills through structured training programmes, and investments in education, culture and digital inclusion.
General News
WIEG to host Nigeria’s first International Investment Summit in Lagos

World International Economic Group (WIEG) Nigeria has announced plans to host its inaugural International Investment Summit on Feb. 25 and 26 at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, Oniru, Victoria Island, Lagos.

WIEG
The summit, themed “Nigeria’s Next Frontier: Unlocking Sustainable Investments for Economic Transformation,” is aimed at connecting investment-ready Nigerian enterprises with global capital while addressing long-standing challenges facing micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), cooperatives and women-led businesses.
Speaking at a pre-summit press conference on Friday at Compact Communications Ltd., GRA Ikeja, Lagos, Mr. Bassey Essien, WIEG’s Project & Event Consultant said the summit would serve as a structured platform linking policy, finance and enterprise growth.
Essien identified limited access to structured funding, poor investment readiness and weak documentation as major barriers confronting Nigerian businesses, despite the availability of domestic and international capital.
“Enterprises that succeed understand the importance of preparation. Some invest as much as N200 million in professional feasibility studies to meet the standards of banks and institutions such as the African Development Bank. That level of preparation enables access to collateral-free funding,” he said.
According to him, weak policy continuity, inadequate post-intervention monitoring and fragmented regulatory frameworks have continued to undermine business growth in the country.
“Policies often change with governments, and there is little tracking after interventions. More importantly, many businesses are not prepared in ways financiers require,” Essien noted.
He explained that the summit would convene policymakers, investors, development finance institutions and pre-screened MSMEs and SMEs operating in priority sectors, including the creative industry, agriculture, energy transition, finance and aviation.
Essien described the creative sector as a major contributor to Nigeria’s economy, accounting for about 2.5 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product, but said weak financing structures, piracy and poor intellectual property (IP) protection had limited its growth.
Highlighting the summit programme, he said Day One would feature conferences on macroeconomic issues, policy reforms and enterprise growth, while Day Two would focus on sector-specific deal-making roundtables.
“These deal rooms will be organised by sector — from aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) to renewable energy — with lawyers, financiers and policymakers present to fast-track transactions,” he said.
Essien added that the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) would be present to ensure post-event monitoring and tracking of investment deals concluded during the summit.
He disclosed that the creative economy segment would be supported through partnerships with the Association of Movie Producers of Nigeria (AMP) and financial institutions to fund viable projects in Nollywood, music and fashion.
“Intellectual property regularisation is critical. Once ideas are properly documented and protected, investors gain confidence,” he said.
On energy and aviation, Essien said the summit would spotlight renewable energy solutions to reduce dependence on generators and promote the establishment of commercial MRO facilities to curb the high cost of aircraft maintenance abroad.
He also announced the participation of B Lab Africa, a U.S.-certified organisation focused on environmental, social and governance (ESG), diversity, equity and inclusivity standards, noting that the initiative would help small businesses improve governance and access global funding.
Essien revealed that investment commitments estimated at about 500 million dollars were expected to emerge from the summit.
“This is a private-sector-led, non-partisan initiative that places no financial burden on government. It is focused on job creation, empowering women-owned enterprises and improving investor confidence through transparent and secure processes,” he said.
He urged Nigerian entrepreneurs and SMEs to prioritise proper documentation, professional advisory services and IP protection to position themselves for sustainable growth.
“We are creating a structured pathway from policy to capital to enterprise growth,” Essien added.
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