Telecom
Anambra Leads Southeast in Digital Governance Under Soludo’s ICT Agenda
Anambra State is quietly engineering one of Nigeria’s most ambitious transformations in public governance, one powered by artificial intelligence, expanded broadband infrastructure and deep data analytics.
Mr. Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata (CFA), Managing Director, Anambra State ICT Agency, in a group photograph with media executives during a media parley in Lagos.
At the centre of this shift is Governor Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, whose administration is redefining how government interfaces with citizens.
Speaking during an interactive session with media executives in Lagos, Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata (CFA), the Managing Director, Anambra State ICT Agency, explained that the administration’s digital-first approach is reshaping how government engages citizens and delivers services.
Agbata said the Soludo administration is intentional about embedding technology into governance at scale.
“Governor Soludo’s vision is clear, a smarter, faster, more efficient government driven by data, innovation and citizen-focused digital tools,” he said.
Agbata noted that the state has adopted extensive data analytics to improve planning, service delivery and overall decision-making.
He explained that AI-driven analytics are now helping the government understand citizen needs, plan interventions and monitor impact more effectively.
He mentioned that the state’s previous use of data modelling in political engagement demonstrated the power of structured data but stressed that the real goal is institutionalising data culture across government, not just elections.
“We sit on rich datasets today; from demographic insights to service requests, and we are using them to build a more responsive government,” he said.
The ICT boss highlighted the state’s work on conversational AI systems that will allow citizens to interact with government easily, even in local languages.
“Whether literate or illiterate, people should soon be able to speak to AI in an indigenous language and have their requests processed,” he said.
“That’s where governance is going, and Anambra intends to lead.”
Highlighting Broadband Expansion as one of the biggest wins of Governor Soludo’s administration, Agbata emphasised that broadband penetration remains central to achieving the state’s digital agenda.
He credited Governor Soludo’s progressive Right-of-Way policy and proactive industry engagement for accelerating fibre deployment across communities.
“When ISPs begin travelling to Anambra on their own, it shows they see good policy and a viable market,” he said.
Today, more households in semi-urban communities are enjoying reliable fibre connections something CFA said was almost impossible in previous years..
CFA also disclosed that Anambra continues to pursue the establishment of an Internet Exchange Point to localise traffic and reduce cost while improving speed.
“Localising traffic means your data won’t travel to Lagos or Amsterdam before returning,” he explained.
He noted that although technical requirements have caused delays, significant progress is expected in 2026.
Agbata added that national assessments have recognised Anambra’s advancement in digitisation and reforms.
“According to BudgIT and other national bodies, Anambra ranks number one in the Southeast in ease of doing business and transparency,” he said.
He attributed the growth to healthy inter-state competition and measurable reforms championed by Governor Soludo.
Agbata praised the young professionals powering the state’s digital work, particularly in data analytics and infrastructure mapping.
He also highlighted the vital role of industry partnerships:
“Relationships matter. If we fully deploy just 20% of the relationships we have within and outside the country, Anambra would be on another level.”
He cited instances where collaboration with telecom executives led to quick fixes and infrastructure deployment in the state.
Agbata thanked the Lagos media community for their continuous support in making the Anambra’s digital revolution seen and appreciated by all.
“We don’t take your support for granted. You have helped amplify Anambra’s digital transformation story,” he said.
As Anambra deepens investments in digital infrastructure, AI systems and data-driven governance, Agbata said the state is positioning itself as the emerging technology and innovation hub of the Southeast.
“There is a generation coming that is digital-first. Our responsibility is to build systems ready for them,” he said.
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) has announced the formation of Airbel Ventures, a new humanitarian impact investing fund aimed at accelerating the introduction and scaling of breakthrough technologies in crisis-affected communities.
The fund will invest in companies whose ideas have the potential to change humanitarian response, including digital infrastructure for frontline health systems and climate-resilient agriculture.
The launch of Airbel Ventures follows a period of rapid innovation at the IRC, despite the humanitarian sector facing record funding cuts.
In the past year, the IRC’s Airbel Impact Lab has advanced more than twenty Artificial Intelligence (AI) and technology initiatives—from anticipatory action tools powered by climate and vulnerability data, to frontline service delivery using safe, orchestrated AI systems, to breakthrough diagnostic tools for emerging diseases.
Airbel Ventures’ first impact investment is in Signalytic, a company delivering solar-powered computing devices that ensure reliable electricity and connectivity for remote health facilities.
Following the investment, the IRC will pilot Signalytic’s technology with its Nigeria Health team, demonstrating the viability of next-generation digital infrastructure in humanitarian settings.
“We know breakthrough solutions already exist—what’s missing is the path to scale in humanitarian contexts,” said Dr. Jeannie Annan, Senior Vice President for Research & Innovation at the IRC and head of the Airbel Impact Lab.
MTN Nigeria, the country’s largest telecommunications operator, recorded a historic surge in network disruptions in 2025, suffering 9,218 fibre cuts as of December 31, alongside 211 base station sites affected by theft and vandalism, incidents that disrupted mobile and data services relied upon daily by millions of Nigerians.
The data was revealed by Dr Karl Toriola, chief executive officer/managing director, MTN Nigeria via a social media post titled ‘MTN Nigeria 2025 Wrapped’.
The scale of the damage highlights the growing vulnerability of Nigeria’s telecommunications infrastructure, which has come under increasing pressure from road construction activities, cable theft and deliberate acts of vandalism.
MTN said 5,478 fibre cuts occurred within just the first seven months of 2025, with 760 incidents recorded in July alone, underscoring the intensity of the challenge.
Some of the incidents had wide-ranging consequences, knocking out connectivity across multiple states simultaneously and affecting voice calls, data services, digital payments and enterprise operations.
The company described the situation as a national infrastructure problem, rather than an isolated corporate issue, given the economy’s deep dependence on mobile networks.
“These gaps were shaped by real operational challenges such as fibre cuts, theft, and vandalism. Their impact is felt directly by customers and reflected in what they tell us,” Toriola,
The disruptions were reflected in customer feedback volumes, as MTN handled an unprecedented number of complaints during the year. The operator said it resolved 1,624,263 customer complaints in 2025, spanning call centres, social media platforms, emails and physical service centres nationwide.
Despite the setbacks, MTN pointed to signs of operational resilience. The company retained its ranking as Nigeria’s best network by Ookla, returned to profitability after a challenging period, declared an interim dividend, and expanded its subscriber base to over 85 million users by September 2025.
The figures show that while Nigeria’s telecom operators continue to invest heavily in network expansion and customer service, infrastructure sabotage remains a major drag on service quality and operating costs.
MTN acknowledged that performance improvements remain a work in progress. “We are not where we want to be yet. We see you. We hear you. We exist because of you. And we will get better,” Toriola said.
As the company enters its 25th year of operations in Nigeria, Toriola said MTN is doubling down on customer-centricity, treating every piece of feedback as a guide for improvement, while also stepping up engagement with government agencies.
The CEO renewed calls for stronger regulatory and legal protections for telecommunications infrastructure, urging policymakers to classify fibre cables, base stations and other critical assets as national infrastructure and criminalise vandalism to deter repeat attacks.
Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has granted operating licences to six new Internet Service Providers (ISPs), effective January 1, 2026, raising the total number of authorised ISPs in the country to 231 from 225 recorded in December 2025.
NCC
The newly licensed firms are Intellvision Technologies Limited, Granet Technologies Limited, Fiber Sonic Limited, Dasol Solution Services Ltd, Boost ISP Limited, and Amazon Kuiper Nigeria Limited.
Five of these companies are headquartered in Lagos, while Granet Technologies Limited operates from Owerri in Imo State, highlighting the persistent concentration of broadband infrastructure in major commercial hubs like Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt.
This development intensifies competition in Nigeria’s broadband market, which faces pressure from dominant mobile network operators such as MTN and Airtel, alongside rapid expansion by satellite providers like Starlink.
Traditional ISPs continue to grapple with shrinking customer bases, aggressive data pricing from telcos, and satellite disruptions, even as NCC data from Q2 2025 showed Spectranet, Starlink, and FibreOne controlling about 65 per cent of the 313,713 active ISP subscribers.
The inclusion of Amazon Kuiper Nigeria Limited marks a significant entry of global satellite broadband competition, building on Nigeria’s recent approvals for other low Earth orbit providers to enhance connectivity in underserved areas.
Industry analysts view the licences as a strategic push to improve internet quality amid rising demand for digital services, though geographic clustering underscores ongoing infrastructure challenges outside urban centres.
NCC’s move aligns with broader efforts to foster a competitive telecoms sector critical to Nigeria’s digital economy ambitions.
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