Telecom
ALTON Decries Impact of OTT on Telecom Operations
The Association of Licensed Telecommunication Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has decried the impact of over the top service (OTT) on the telecom operations in the country.
Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, Chairman, ALTON, said: “In Nigeria over the top service (OTT) providers utilizes traditional Mobile Network Operator (MNO) infrastructure to offer social networks, voice and instant messaging services to retain users loyalty and drive stickiness, with a view to create large on-line communities and eventually attract huge advertisement revenues.”
OTT services in Nigeria include Voice and Messaging service applications such as: WhatsApp, WeChat, Skype, Facebook, Viber, Imo, among others.
The Mobile Network Operators (MNO), he said, has neither rights nor control over the OTT services, as its customers have the discretion to use the Internet as desired.
“Increasing usage of OTT services by customers is adversely impacting on traditional telecoms platforms.
According to Ovum, the independent analyst and consultancy: The growing adoption of OTT services by customers instead of traditional telecoms services will occasion global revenue loss of $386bn over a period of six years (2012 – 2018) for the traditional telecom operators, thus endangering network development.
Some of the ’displacement effect’ according to Adebayo are ‘declining voice minutes due to impact of OTT while VoIP has been increasing, OTT Data flux has been increasing as shown with the 2016 data, Telcos are losing money due to this trend.’
He said that urgent action is required to save Telcos further loss due to activities of OTT players who do not invest in infrastructure.
“Telecom Operators incur the Costs while OTT players make the money. Telecom operators invest a lot on network infrastructure in order to provide basic and innovative services to customers. Core voice and SMS revenues are decreasing continuously due to impact of OTT players who offer voice, video and messaging services free of charge to their users. Telecom operators will continue to invest a lot to make the networks support the data tsunami, with the required quality of service and numerous innovative services.
“On the top of their infrastructures and customers, they will strive to keep with huge investments, the OTTs are offering contents & applications, using huge amount of Telcos bandwidth, collecting revenues but paying nothing to the Telco operators and to the government.”
He added that, the increasing adoption of OTT applications by telecom subscribers negatively impact on incoming international traffic as well as SMS at huge cost to the Telcos but revenue to OTT.
“OTT players also hold many customers personal data they can use for any desired purpose without risk of being sanctioned by the government while Telcos are not permitted to use or disclose subscriber information to third party.”
ALTON however recommends in line with international trends, ’same service, same licensing” regime to avoid distortion in the digital landscape.”
ALTON he noted supports models intended to engender revenue-share arrangements on advertisement-based OTT content.
This co-operative model is being developed by operators and may necessitate special data bundles.
“We support innovative solutions by operators to minimize impact of disruptive platforms in the best interests of consumers and of industry sustainability.
“Security issues need to be addressed: because of Lawful Interception (LI) reasons – OTT players will not open up their services for LI, and that poses a huge security risk. There is needs to consider regulation regarding LI compliance for OTT services. Sustainability Issues also need attention.
“Operators should reserve the right to charge for OTT calls based on criteria available to the operators, such as: OTT calls terminating to offshore IP addresses; OTT calls based on call count or duration per call; possibly apply limits to call duration or call count for basic unregulated OTT calling; OTT calls based on time of day and OTT Video (P2P) is subject to the above.
“OTT video content streaming may not need to be regulated, operators can decide to apply QoS parameters to the specific service, and manage QoS as applicable for their subscribers. Also operators can decide to prioritize or de-prioritize OTT traffic on their networks for economic and quality reasons.
“We recommend that OTT players to enter into agreement with Telcos for revenue share or payment of a kind of interconnect fee to Telcos.”
He expressed ALTON’s committment to the continued growth and development of the Nigerian Telecommunications Industry and respectfully requests that in order to save the legacy telecoms operators, measures must be put in place which will avoid distortion in the digital space in order to ensure unimpeded development of telecommunications infrastructure in the country.
MTN Foundation hosted its annual Anti-Substance Abuse Programme (ASAP) Conference on July 9, 2025, at the MTN Rooftop in Ikoyi, Lagos, bringing together stakeholders from government, healthcare, education, security, civil society, and the private sector to address the growing challenge of drug abuse among Nigerian youth.
L-R: Tobe Okigbo, Chef Corporate Services Officer, MTN Nigeria; Archieabia Ibinabo, Assistant Commander General of Narcotics, representative of Brig. Gen Mohammed Buba Marwa, Chairman/CEO, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA); Barrister Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin, Secretary to the Lagos State Government, (representative of His Excellency, Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu); RT. Honourable Princess Lasbat Mojisola Meranda, Deputy Speaker, Lagos State Assembly; Dr. Mosun Olusoga, Chairman, MTN Foundation; Odunayo Sanya, Executive Director, MTN Foundation, and Dr. Tolu Ajomale, Head of Special Projects and Mental Health, Lagos State Ministry of Health (representative of Prof. Akin Abayomi, Commissioner for Health, Lagos State) during the MTN Anti-Substance Abuse Programme (ASAP) Lagos Conference held in commemoration of World Drug Day at the MTN Rooftop, Ikoyi, Lagos on Wednesday, July 9, 2025.
Prominent attendees included Dr. Mosun Olusoga, Chairman of MTN Foundation; Barrister Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, Secretary to the Lagos State Government; and Dr. Tolu Ajomale of the Lagos Ministry of Health, among others. Also present were representatives of NDLEA, UNODC, academia, psychologists, recovery advocates, and youth leaders.
Speaking on behalf of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Salu-Hundeyin reaffirmed Lagos State’s commitment to safeguarding its youth and fostering a future free from substance abuse. Dr. Olusoga emphasized that drug addiction extends beyond health, touching families, communities, and national well-being, calling for proactive, united action.
MTN Nigeria’s Chief Corporate Services Officer, Tobe Okigbo, stressed the company’s long-standing dedication to youth development through initiatives like ASAP. NDLEA’s Assistant Commander General of Narcotics, Archieabia Ibinabo, representing Brigadier General Buba Marwa, commended MTN Foundation as a vital ally in drug prevention efforts.
The conference featured personal stories of recovery in a session titled “Journeys Through the Fire,” followed by a panel discussion on multi-sectoral solutions to substance abuse. It concluded with a dramatic performance, “Just One Breath,” by LASU’s WADA Club, illustrating the personal and societal toll of drug use.
Executive Director of the MTN Foundation, Odunayo Sanya, closed the event with a powerful call to action, urging media, communities, and policymakers to drive sustained investment in youth empowerment and early intervention.
The Foundation reaffirmed its commitment to building resilience among young Nigerians and catalyzing cross-sector partnerships for a drug-free future.
MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos, was filled with music, pride and emotion on Thursday, July 4, as the Class of 2025 of the MTN Foundation–MUSON Diploma in Music graduated in a ceremony that celebrated discipline, artistry and the power of partnership in nurturing young Nigerian talents.
The event marked the culmination of two years of intensive training for the graduating scholars, supported by the MTN Foundation–MUSON Scholarship Programme. This partnership has provided full scholarships to hundreds of talented Nigerians, giving them access to world-class music education and helping them hone their skills as professional musicians.
Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Mosun Olusoga, Chairman of the MTN Foundation, praised the graduates for their resilience and dedication. “Despite personal and financial obstacles, you showed up with determination, supported one another and embodied the values of excellence and empathy. You are stepping into the world as teachers, performers and cultural advocates. Nigeria and the world need your music now more than ever,” she said.
Chairman of MUSON’s Board of Trustees, Louis Mbanefo, SAN, reflected on the legacy of MUSON and the impact of its partnership with MTN. “Through the generosity of MTN and the dedication of our faculty, MUSON has produced more than 500 graduates who are making significant contributions to Nigeria’s cultural scene and beyond. As you join this vibrant alumni community, remember your responsibility to give back, uphold excellence and enrich the nation’s musical heritage,” he said.
Director of the MUSON School of Music, Princess Banke Ademola, described the graduates as ambassadors of discipline and artistry. “Today, we are not just sending graduates into the world; we are releasing ambassadors of discipline, creativity, and cultural excellence. Each of you has proven that with hard work and resilience, music can transcend challenges and inspire change. Go out there and let your music heal, connect, and transform lives.”
In her speech, Chief Mrs. Joke Chukwuma, Yeye Oba Iye of Ekiti Kingdom, encouraged them to use their music to inspire change and heal communities. “Music is the heartbeat of our culture, and today’s graduates are its future custodians. You are not just musicians; you are storytellers and architects of emotion. Carry your craft with pride and remember that your sound has the power to give voice to the voiceless and light to the world.”
As the graduates received their diplomas to loud applause, the event highlighted the impact of public-private collaboration in advancing Nigeria’s creative industries. The MTN Foundation–MUSON partnership continues to inspire hope for the future of music in Nigeria, turning dreams into reality and passion into excellence.
Nvidia has become the first publicly traded company to hit a $4 trillion market valuation, surpassing tech giants Apple and Microsoft. Shares rose 2.5% in early trading on Wednesday, July 9, lifting the chipmaker’s market cap past the historic milestone.
Nvidia’s rapid rise reflects its dominant role in powering the global artificial intelligence boom. The company’s chips run the data centers behind AI models and cloud services for Microsoft, Amazon, Google, and more. Global spending on AI infrastructure is expected to top $200 billion by 2028, driving further demand.
Nvidia’s revenue for the quarter ending in April soared 69% year-over-year to $44.1 billion. Its stock has climbed nearly 20% this year, despite facing export restrictions and fresh competition from China’s DeepSeek, which briefly rattled markets. Nvidia shares dropped as much as 37% from January to April, before roaring back to gain almost 74% since early April.
Analysts say Nvidia’s success cements it as the backbone of the AI revolution. “There is one company in the world that is the foundation for the AI revolution, and that is Nvidia,” wrote Wedbush Securities’ Dan Ives. He predicts Microsoft, currently valued around $3.77 trillion, will also cross the $4 trillion threshold later this summer.
Nvidia rose to prominence through graphics cards loved by gamers, but now leads in AI hardware, from autonomous vehicles to next-gen chips like the Blackwell Ultra, which promises to support more advanced reasoning in AI models.
The company’s surge has also made CEO Jensen Huang one of the world’s richest people, with a net worth of roughly $140 billion. Huang has met with President Trump and joined other tech leaders on trips abroad, as Nvidia partners in major initiatives like Project Stargate, a $500 billion push to expand US AI infrastructure.
Despite challenges from new players and US-China trade tensions that cost it an estimated $2.5 billion last quarter, Nvidia’s outlook remains bright. On a May earnings call, Huang said AI would become essential for “every country” and “every industry,” from software and healthcare to manufacturing and transportation.
Some on Wall Street believe Nvidia’s rise is only beginning. Loop Capital analysts recently projected the company could reach a staggering $6 trillion valuation by 2028, calling it “essentially a monopoly for critical tech” in the AI space.
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