Telecom
FAPSCON 2023: Anambra Govt Reaffirms Commitment to Innovators
Ms. Chinwe Okoli, Special Adviser to Governor Chukwuma Soludo on Innovation and Business Incubation, has expressed the commitment of the Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s administration to creators and innovators.
This was the crux of Ms. Okoli’s keynote speech at the 5th International Conference and Exhibition for Science, Technology, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship (FAPSCON 2023).
Speaking on the topic “Breaking Barriers to Innovation, Local Manufacturing and Technology Development in Nigeria, Shedding light on critical barriers to innovation and technology in Nigeria”, Ms. Okoli revealed that one of the major setbacks to innovation is ignorance to opportunities offered by technology and innovation.
She reiterated the relationship existing between innovation, technology and local manufacturing, stressing its imperative of potentially impacting on the state.
While highlighting some of the strides of the present administration aimed at reinventing the staring into the creative digital capital of the Country, Ms. Okoli emphasized that the target is to transform the Solution Innovation District into the “Silicon Valley” of the South Eastern Nigeria.
“Governor Soludo has set up a well-equipped SID Centre in Awka, equipped with digital skills’ lab, robotics lab, co-working space, steady power and internet access.
“Our mandate is to activate, build and scale the innovation ecosystem in the State. We offer digital skill training and services, incubate start-ups, and train innovative SMEs in Anambra State” Ms. Okoli noted.
She asked participants to acknowledge the barriers to innovation but always remain focused on solutions, pointing out that the university needs to be a hub of smart ideas such that students graduate with both their certificates and innovative businesses which they founded.
Earlier in his opening, Mr. Udechukwu espoused on the University’s commitment to the mandate of nurturing students who are excellent in character and knowledge.
He highlighted the symbiotic synergy between the government, industry, and academia, saying that the conference offers a veritable platform for the relationship to blossom, adding that the mandate of the government of Professor Soludo is to support local manufacturing and innovation through the “Made in Anambra Project”.
He also spoke on the significance of harnessing the finest ideas emerging from the University for commercialization in partnership with the private sector.
Highpoint of the conference was the announcement of the winners of the “Mr. Governor’s Prize for Young Scientists and Future Innovators,” a competition, open to secondary schools, recognized exemplary inventors, innovators, and tangible technological products.
The schools that won and their inventions include Regina Pacis Model Secondary School, Onitsha, who took the first position for inventing a Gas Leakage Detector, Choice De Immaculate Demonstration, Obosi, who took the second position for inventing a Speech Vibrator for the Deaf, as well as Deeper Life High School, Nteje, who took the third position for inventing a Robot to Stop Moving Vehicles from Obstacles.
In his welcome address, Professor Greg Nwakoby, the Vice Chancellor, represented by Professor Mathias Ananti, the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Administration, emphasised that Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University places high premium on research and innovation which informs the huge investments the university is making in staff motivation, human capacity and infrastructural development which according to him had catapulted the profile of the university in regional and global university rankings.
Since its debut in 2018, FAPSCON has maintained a laser-focus on its agenda and reflects that focus through its themes. For example, in 2022, FAPSCON dwelt on Advancing Nigerian Content Development for Industrial Productivity and Sustainable Digital Economy.
They were received by the university management and representatives including, Prof. Mathias Ananti, DVC Administration, Prof. Osita Chiaghanam, Deputy Vice Chancellor (DVC) Academics, Sir Chris Obi, Registrar, Dr. Nath Udezo, Bursar, Prof. K.K. Nwozor, Dean of Physical Sciences, Dr. E. Onyema Iloh, Sub-Dean of Physical Sciences among others.
Telecom
Celebrating African Creativity: Made by Africa, Loved by the World’ Returns for Its Fifth Year
The “Made by Africa, Loved by the World” campaign is back for its fifth year, celebrating African creativity and global influence. This year’s theme, “Where Culture Meets Connection,” highlights how social media fosters conversations around cultural moments worldwide.
The campaign features three cinematic films premiering on the Meta Africa page, showcasing the groundbreaking work and personal stories of six dynamic African creatives.
These artists, from Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, and South Africa, represent diverse disciplines, including rap, animation, dance, photography, fashion, and videography.
Here are some of the featured talents:
- Ladipoe (Nigeria) – A BET-nominated rapper known for blending global hip-hop with African rhythms.
- Fatboy Animations (Kenya) – An animation studio founded by Michael Muthiga, recognized by Forbes for its original African storytelling.
- Lisa Quama (Ghana) – A dancer who gained fame after appearing in Beyoncé’s “Already” music video.
- Gilbert Asante (Ghana) – A photographer and creative director featured in GQ and Glam Africa.
- David Tlale (South Africa) – A fashion designer whose bold designs have been showcased at major fashion events, including the Met Gala.
- Ofentse Mwase (South Africa) – A filmmaker with over 24 international awards for his unique visual storytelling.
Kezia Anim-Addo, Communications Director for Africa, Middle East & Turkey, emphasized that the campaign not only celebrates individual success stories but also showcases how culture and social media drive meaningful connections and inspiration.
Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), has raised the alarm over a diesel supply crisis caused by an ongoing strike by the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG).
Mr Tony Emoekpere, president, ATCON in a statement said that the fuel supply disruption is critically affecting telecom base stations, pushing them to the brink of a shutdown and threatening millions of mobile and internet users in the region.
“This strike, which stems from the persistent harassment of tanker and petroleum product drivers by police officers in Lagos State, has effectively halted all truck loading operations and fuel movements,” Emoekpere stated.
He explained that diesel supply to telecom infrastructure has been severely impacted, leaving critical sites with dangerously low fuel levels.
According to him, if urgent measures are not taken, the situation could escalate into a full-blown network blackout, disrupting essential services, including mobile and internet access, business operations, emergency response systems, and daily communications.
ATCON has called on the governors of Lagos and Ogun states to intervene immediately by facilitating the release of diesel from depots to telecom operators to prevent further deterioration of the situation.
“This is not just a telecom issue—it is a national emergency that could cripple economic activities and compromise public safety,” Emoekpere stressed.
The association also appealed to security agencies and petroleum unions to resolve the crisis swiftly to safeguard Nigeria’s connectivity and economic stability.
ATCON emphasised that a prolonged disruption in fuel supply to telecom infrastructure could have far-reaching consequences for both businesses and individuals who rely on stable communication networks for daily operations.
In 2023, Nigerians spent a total of about ₦5.3 trillion on telecommunications services, which includes calls, data, SMS, and other telecom services, according to the Leadership.
Specifically for voice calls, Nigerians made approximately 408.5 billion minutes of local calls, generating around ₦3.28 trillion from outgoing calls and ₦3.23 trillion from incoming calls, totaling about ₦6.51 trillion in call-related revenue according to projections based on 2023 call volumes and tariff data.
However, the ₦5.3 trillion figure represents the overall telecom sector revenue, with voice calls being a major component but also including data and other services.
For individual spending, MTN subscribers spent an average of ₦2,508 monthly on voice calls in 2023, showing a 14.4% increase from 2022, while Airtel customers spent about ₦1,694 monthly on voice calls.
Total telecom spending (calls, data, SMS, etc.): ₦5.3 trillion in 2023
Estimated revenue from voice calls alone: around ₦6.5 trillion based on call minutes and tariffs
Average monthly spending on calls per subscriber: ₦1,694 to ₦2,508 depending on the network
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