Telecom
Airtel Directors Win Honours @ CIO Awards

Airtel Nigeria’s leadership team has demonstrated outstanding excellence in innovation and technology as two of its directors were honoured with three prestigious awards at the 5th edition of the CIO & C-Suite Awards, held on Saturday, 30th November 2024, at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The annual awards, organized by CIO Club Africa, celebrates outstanding achievements in technology and innovation leadership across 11 African nations, recognizing individuals and organizations shaping the future of the tech industry.
During the event, Harmanpreet Dhillon, Chief Technology Officer, Airtel Nigeria was recognised as Overall Tech Champion of the Year and also received the Gold Award as an Innovative Leader in the Telecommunications Sector. Also, the Director of Information and Technology, Airtel Nigeria, Kemi Ariyo, was recognized with the Silver Award as an Innovative Leader in the same category, highlighting her significant contributions to the sector.
While expressing his gratitude for the recognition, Mr. Harmanpreet Dhillon dedicating the awards to the efforts of the Airtel team.
“At Airtel, we are fully committed to continuous innovation and excellence and I must say this is a reflection of the relentless efforts and dedication of the entire Airtel Nigeria team. These awards inspire us to continue breaking barriers and achieving excellence through innovative technology,” he said.
The event brought together technology leaders, including Chief Technology Officers (CTOs), Chief Information Officers (CIOs), tech visionaries, security experts, and innovation pioneers who share a united goal of shaping the future of technology and driving transformative progress across industries.
In her remarks at the event, Kemi Ariyo also emphasised the importance of professional honours in encouraging innovation across the industry, stating, “Awards like these are a motivation to keep contributing meaningfully to the industry and to push the boundaries of what is possible in technology and telecommunications.”
These achievements reflect the brand’s commitment to excellence, innovation, and setting new benchmarks in the telecommunications industry.
Telecom
MTN Nigeria Non-Executive Director Mazen Mroue Quits to Focus on Group Role

Mazen Mroue, a non-executive director at MTN Nigeria Communications Plc, has resigned effective February 27, 2026, to prioritise other responsibilities within the MTN Group, the company announced in a Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) filing.

MTN Nigeria
The notice, signed by company secretary Uto Ukpanah, stated: “This is to enable Mr. Mroue to focus on other priorities within MTN Group Limited. The Board wishes to express its appreciation to Mr. Mroue for his immense service to MTN Nigeria and wishes him success in his future endeavours.”
Mroue joined MTN Nigeria’s board on June 1, 2022, bringing over 28 years of telecom experience. A veteran MTN executive, he previously served as CEO of MTN Uganda and MTN Liberia, non-executive director at MTN Cyprus, and held leadership roles at MTN Ghana.
Since February 2022, he has been MTN Group’s Chief Technology and Information Officer, overseeing technology strategy and governance. Earlier, as MTN Nigeria’s COO from August 2018 to January 2022, he also sat on the MTN Nigeria Foundation board.
The exit follows MTN Nigeria’s stellar 2025 results, posting a ₦1.70 trillion profit before tax—reversing a ₦550.3 billion loss in 2024 driven by forex woes—marking one of the telco’s strongest rebounds.
Telecom
Google Adds Yorùbá, Hausa to AI Search, Boosting Access for Millions of Nigerians

Google has rolled out support for Yorùbá and Hausa languages in its AI-powered Search features—AI Overviews and AI Mode—enabling millions of Nigerians to get quick answers, summaries, and conversational web exploration in their mother tongues.

The update forms part of Google’s push to cover 13 African languages, including Afrikaans, Akan, Amharic, Kinyarwanda, Afaan Oromoo, Somali, Sesotho, Kiswahili, Setswana, Wolof, and isiZulu, selected based on high search activity across the continent.
Now, a Kano student can ask complex questions in Hausa, while an Ibadan trader seeks business tips in Yorùbá—both receiving culturally nuanced AI responses via text or voice on Android, iOS, or web.
Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, Google’s West Africa Communications Manager, said: “Building truly global Search requires nuanced local understanding. With Gemini-powered AI, we’ve made advanced capabilities relevant in Yorùbá and Hausa, so Nigerians converse naturally with Search in their mother tongues.”
To use: Open the Google app, tap AI Mode, and query in Hausa or Yorùbá for personalised guidance—breaking language barriers and making technology reflect Nigeria’s diverse identity.
Telecom
MultiChoice Shuts Down Showmax After 11 Years Amid Streaming Wars

MultiChoice is closing its continental streaming platform Showmax after 11 years, notifying subscribers Thursday of the board’s decision to discontinue the service in the near future to refocus on sustainable digital offerings.

MultiChoice
The email assured no immediate disruption: “You can continue streaming as usual, and no action is required from you at this time.” Showmax, launched in South Africa in 2015 and expanded across Africa, offered movies, series, documentaries, and sports to rival Netflix and others amid rising online entertainment demand.
The shutdown follows Canal+’s approved takeover of MultiChoice last year, with the French giant offering ZAR 125 per share for remaining stakes.
The deal mandates HDP ownership boosts, local content investment, and splitting MultiChoice’s SA broadcasting arm into an independent entity to meet regulations.
MultiChoice prioritised subscribers during the transition, promising advance notice on timelines.
Showmax’s exit signals consolidation pressures in Africa’s cut-throat streaming market, where global players dominate despite local content strengths.
E-Financial2 days agoNRS Targets N40trillion in Tax, Royalty Revenue in 2026
E-Financial2 days agoSEC Revokes Registration of Kensington Agro Trading Limited
General News2 days agoPurple Woman 3.0 Is Back, to Empower Women in Tech this IWD 2026
News2 days agoEFCC Arraigns Two FSDH Bank Officials Over $307k, €50k Fraud
Telecom2 days agoKonga Launches ‘Berekete Sales’ with Up to 50% Discounts Across Major Categories
E-Business2 days agoNDPC, 60 DPAs Collaborate on Enforcing Privacy Rights in the Use of Al
General News2 days agoNCDC Raises Alarm over Lassa Fever Ravaging 18 States in Nigeria
E-Financial2 days agoNigeria’s Net Reserves Surge 50% to $34.8bn in 2025 – CBN Governor

















