Telecom
Anambra Govt Takes Major Leap towards Domestication of Nigeria Start-Up Act with Stakeholders’ Engagement
Anambra State Government has restated its commitment to supporting the streamlining of the state governance systems for greater efficiency, through development of frameworks, laws and procedures.
The State Deputy Governor, Dr Ifeanyichukwu Ibezim made the disclosure during a forum to kick off a two-day stakeholders’ engagement on the domestication of the Nigerian Start-Up Act in Anambra State, held in Awka.
Dr Ibezim re-echoed the dedication of the Chukwuma Soludo-led administration, to making Anambra a technological hub, adding that with the disruptive changes the governor is introducing to the state governance, anyone who fails to keep pace, will be left behind.
He praised the collaboration between the government and partners supporting startups, emphasizing the importance of a tech-driven administration, a promise kept by Governor Soludo’s administration.
He said; “You all seated in this room are the gold we have; we are not looking elsewhere. The journey has just begun and I encourage you to deliberate and chart the course forward for a better Anambra.”
Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata, CFA, MD/CEO of Anambra State ICT Agency, in his goodwill message, posited that the stakeholders’ engagement was imperative to ensure that the Act meets the peculiarities of the state and does not just stand as an imposition of a national law.
CFA de-emphasized the notion of a one-size-fits-all approach to the Nigeria Startup Act, highlighting Anambra’s unique strengths in commerce and trade.
Citing instances with successful ecosystems worldwide and in Lagos on a national level, he attested to Governor Soludo’s commitment to laying the groundwork for innovation through the installation of high-speed broadband internet and the ongoing deployment of fibre cables across the state.
“Innovation lies in the private sector while the government will come up with policies,” he said, urging the ecosystem stakeholders to take charge.
He emphasized that, similar to global trends with OpenAI 4.0 and Google’s Gemini, the private sector should not wait for government intervention but should proactively drive the agenda for a thriving tech ecosystem, with the government playing catch-up.
Describing the Nigeria Startup Act as a co-created legislation emerging from the intersection of displacement and disruption, Mrs. Tracy Okoro Isaac, the State Adoption Lead for the Nigeria Startup Act, reminded the stakeholders that the engagement was history in the making.
She quipped; “In 10 years, you will fondly recall being part of the group that collaborated to establish an ecosystem capable of nurturing Anambra’s unicorns”
Mrs. Okoro-Isaac disclosed that the Act is hinged on four pillars- funding, human development /capacity building, and infrastructure (both software and hardware, internet connection), adding that the Act aims to ensure accessibility and prevent unnecessary migration by fostering innovation, underscoring the Act’s importance for establishing accountability and responsibility, providing concise regulations with clearly defined roles.
She highlighted the success stories of local entrepreneurs, such as those behind Flutterwave and Paystack, who built their startups independent of significant government support, urging attendees to envision the possibilities of creating a united ecosystem that supports startups collectively.
Expressing satisfaction with Governor Soludo’s commitment to innovation, Mrs. Isaac stated that participants were there to contribute to creating a modular startup law, that would shape Anambra’s future.
The convener of the session and Special Adviser to the Governor on Innovation and Business Incubation, Ms. Chinwe Okoli, described the session as more than a legal formality, asserting that it is a profound statement of intent to propel Anambra into a hub of innovation.
“We are fortunate to have a governor who comprehends the transformative influence of technology, setting the groundwork for a state driven by innovation. Our purpose here, therefore, is to participate in this game-changing initiative which is a catalyst for growth and a blueprint shaping the future of our dear state”, she added.
On her part, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning underscored the importance of sustainability, urging stakeholders to safeguard the integrity of the startup ecosystem.
Emphasizing the need to protect both investors and investments, her remarks set the tone for a session that sought not only to embrace change but to ensure its lasting impact.
For the MD of ANSIPPA, Mr. Mark Okoye, stakeholders must commit to actualizing the potentials of the numerous state government’s infrastructure efforts.
The State Chairman of the Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, NASME, Chinemerem Oguegbe, lamented the current lack of structure and synergy in the ecosystem as it were while advocating for a more organized approach to attract opportunities.
“The ecosystem in Anambra state is quite different but we are not organized as entrepreneurs nor structured to attract opportunities.
“Let us look for ways to import IT and tech into our businesses,” he urged.
The Dean, Faculty of Physical Sciences, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Prof. K.K.Nwozor, while transitioning to the crux of the matter, acknowledged the need for mentorship beyond youth-focused initiatives and highlighted the untapped potential within Anambra’s universities.
He however applauded Mr. Governor’s appointment of Prof. Kate Omenugha as the Acting Vice-chancellor of the university, describing it as one that will further support the technology drive in the state.
Mr. Dilibe Chinweze, representing hub owners, echoed the call for synergy, emphasizing the importance of investing locally.
As the event concluded, the overarching message was clear – Anambra State is on the brink of a technological revolution and the ICT Agency MD’s impassioned call to stakeholders, amongst other voices, echo as a rallying cry for the private sector to seize the opportunity, taking the lead in shaping a future where Anambra’s innovation ecosystem thrives on its own terms.
The event also featured a presentation on understanding and leveraging the opportunities of the Nigeria Startup Act by Mrs. Okoro Tracy, along with a Startup Pitch Competition with prizes presented by ANSIPPA, SID, and partner, VFD group.
Viral rumors about a “Tesla Pi Phone” a new phone, being developed by Elon Musk, CEO and largest shareholder of Tesla and SpaceX, are entirely fake.
AI Generated Tesla Pi Phone and Elon Musk
Instead, the tech giant said on Monday it has filed an application with the US Federal Communications Commission for permission to deploy the constellation by 2028.
It said the system would provide voice, messaging, data and emergency services.
A quick fact-check revealed that Tesla Inc. has never manufactured, developed, or released a smartphone.
Videos and articles claiming a release (often priced between $150 and $800 with solar charging or satellite-only connections) rely on AI-generated concept art and recycled internet hoaxes dating back to 2021.
Musk has only mentioned a phone in hypothetical remarks, stating Tesla would build one only if major app stores completely blocked or censored essential apps like X (formerly Twitter).
On Monday however, his company said that “Amazon looks forward to delivering on the promise of D2D [direct-to-device] connectivity, including to the millions of people living, travelling and working in places beyond the reach of existing networks today,”
The filing is the first step from Amazon into satellite mobile connections, which has until now been dominated by SpaceX’s Starlink service.
Musk’s group has signed partnerships with existing operators such as T-Mobile US and the UK’s Virgin Media O2 to provide phone services for customers where their conventional networks do not reach.
Starlink operates across more than 150 countries, offering high-speed internet connections through its constellation of satellites.
Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has attributed rising mobile data consumption to increased use of smartphone applications, cloud services and emerging digital technologies.
Mr Gbenga Adebayo, chairman, ALTON
Mr Gbenga Adebayo, chairman, ALTON, disclosed this on Tuesday at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) conference in Lagos.
Adebayo said smartphones had transformed access to digital services, with many applications consuming data continuously, even when users were not actively browsing the internet.
He explained that automatic software updates, cloud backups, application synchronisation, video streaming, social media autoplay and location services significantly increased data consumption.
According to him, internet usage had changed considerably from a decade ago when consumers mainly relied on direct browsing with fewer digital applications running simultaneously.
He said growing adoption of artificial intelligence, cloud computing and other emerging technologies would further increase demand for reliable connectivity and greater network capacity.
“The evolution of smartphones has fundamentally changed how consumers access digital services, with many applications now consuming data continuously,” Adebayo said.
He stressed that digital literacy had become increasingly important because consumers needed to understand how their devices and applications consumed mobile data.
He advised subscribers to monitor application activity, adjust device settings and use built-in data management tools to better control their data consumption.
Adebayo said greater understanding of digital tools would help dispel misconceptions about data usage and strengthen public confidence in Nigeria’s telecommunications industry.
Responding to allegations that operators deliberately depleted customers’ data, Adebayo dismissed the claims, insisting telecommunications companies had no commercial incentive to engage in such practices.
He said every megabyte consumed on telecom networks was recorded through internationally standardised billing systems supplied by recognised technology vendors and regulated by authorities.
“Such a practice would be unlawful, unethical, commercially self-defeating and subject to stringent regulatory oversight by the Nigerian Communications Commission,” he said.
Adebayo explained that operators’ billing systems were designed to guarantee accuracy, transparency and verification, while genuine consumer complaints were investigated through established protection channels.
He added that the Nigerian Communications Commission’s complaint resolution mechanisms and technical audits provided consumers with credible avenues for seeking redress over billing concerns.
According to him, trust remains essential to expanding Nigeria’s digital economy because telecommunications infrastructure supported banking, healthcare, education, commerce and government services.
He said the telecommunications sector had evolved beyond basic communication services into a critical driver of productivity, investment, innovation and national economic growth.
Adebayo noted that emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, financial technology, smart manufacturing and digital agriculture, depended on resilient telecommunications infrastructure.
He said Nigeria could only maximise these opportunities through sustained collaboration among government, regulators, telecommunications operators and consumers.
Adebayo reaffirmed operators’ commitment to improving customer experience, strengthening network resilience and promoting transparency in telecommunications service delivery.
He urged stakeholders to encourage evidence-based discussions on digital services, stressing that public trust remained indispensable for the sustained growth of Nigeria’s digital economy.
(NAN)
Telecom
Galaxy Backbone Soft Launches Government Service Portal to Simplify Access to Public Services
Galaxy Backbone (GBB), in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy (FMCIDE) and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), officially conducted the soft launch of the Government Service Portal (GSP), a groundbreaking digital platform designed to transform how citizens, businesses and government institutions interact.
The event, held at the Galaxy Backbone National Shared Services Centre (NSSC) Headquarters in Abuja, brought together senior government officials, development partners, technology stakeholders and members of the media to unveil services.gov.ng—Nigeria’s new one-stop digital gateway for accessing government services.
The Government Service Portal is designed to provide a single, trusted platform through which Nigerians can easily discover, access and interact with digital services offered by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). By consolidating government services into one unified portal, the initiative aims to improve accessibility, enhance service delivery and create a more seamless citizen experience.
Speaking at the event, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Galaxy Backbone. Professor Ibrahim Adeyanju, stated that the launch represents another significant milestone in Nigeria’s digital transformation journey and reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to building a more connected, efficient, transparent and citizen-centred public service.
He emphasized that the Portal is more than a website; it is the foundation of a unified digital gateway that places the needs of citizens and businesses at the centre of government service delivery.
He further noted that while the event marks the beginning of the Portal’s journey, the soft launch provides an opportunity to onboard pioneer MDAs, gather user feedback, strengthen system integrations and continuously improve the platform ahead of a wider national rollout.
Representing key stakeholder institutions at the launch were the Deputy Director of KOICA Nigeria, Mr. Ki Yun Baik; the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy, represented by Mr. Joseph Bareiye, Director of e-Government; the Permanent Secretary, State House, represented by Mr. Oguntuyi Olusegun, Head of ICT; and the Executive Director, Digital Exploration and Technical Services, Galaxy Backbone, Olumbe Akinkugbe.
The Government Service Portal aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and supports Nigeria’s broader Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) agenda by creating a citizen-facing gateway that complements existing investments in digital identity, secure infrastructure, cloud services, cybersecurity and digital government platforms. It can be accessed using the link: services.gov.ng . The initiative is expected to strengthen public service delivery, increase transparency, improve operational efficiency and foster greater trust between government and citizens.
Galaxy Backbone reaffirmed its commitment to supporting all Ministries, Departments and Agencies in integrating their digital services into the Portal, noting that collaboration across government will be critical to building an inclusive, interoperable and efficient digital ecosystem that benefits every Nigerian.
The Government Service Portal is expected to evolve into Nigeria’s central digital gateway for public services, making government services simpler, faster and more accessible for citizens and businesses alike.
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