Telecom
As Stakeholders Await New Study on Health Impacts of Telecom Equipment
Telecommunications operators in the country are having long running battle with the National Environmental Standard and Regulatory Enforcement Agency, (Nesrea) over what it terms environmental and health hazard of transmission base stations. The agency had decommissioned two based-stations belonging to MTN Telecommunication Company for non-compliance with the Environmental Impact Assessment Act as well as its regulations on set-back of based-stations from residential areas.
The decommissioning operation, which was jointly led by the Mr. Timothy Okewo, director of administration and finance of Nesrea, and the legal adviser to the agency Barrister Bola Odugbesan, effected the shut-down of the based-station with emergency inscription placed on the two facilities.
The two stations are located at No 27, Asheik Jarma street, Jabi Abuja, and at 2, Oyo street Area 2 Garki all within the centre of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Okewo said the agency’s action was based on complaints of noise pollution, vibration of buildings, environmental degradation resulting from oil spill and effect of the radio-active waves by the residents of the area.
According to the provisions of environmental impact assessment Act, based stations are only allowed to be located 10metres away from the fence of any resident or 12meters away from the building in the case of an unfenced building.
Okeowo who lamented on the negative impact of oil-spillage from the based stations on the environment, regretted that previous complaints by Nesrea has not attracted any remarkable response from the communication firms.
"Most of the telecommunication companies are defaulters of the environmental laws which we are meant to protect" he said.
One wonders the basis of claims of health impact upon which Nesrea is decommissioning and closing down telecommunications operators’ base stations without following due process as recommended by law on such actions.
The agency recently sealed base stations belonging to three telecommunication operators in Ilorin, Kwara State again over non compliance with the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and audit report by the Federal Ministry of Environment. The telecommunication companies affected are MTN, Zain, and Starcomms.
The sealed base stations are located on Police Road, GRA, Ilorin, belonging to MTN, another on Kontagora Road, opposite Taqwa College, belonging to Zain and that of Starcomms behind Tanke LEA Primary School ,Tanke area of the state, were all sealed by the agency.
Nesrea on April 9, 2010 placed a public notice to all telecommunications agencies over its decision to start the sealing of facilities of the operators over their non-compliance with the Environmental Impact Assessment requirement as entailed in the law.
Similar concerns have been expressed by some stakeholders on the impact of both the use of mobile phones and microwave equipment on health of people, although presently there is no scientific proof to these concerns.
Concerns have also been raised about the normal mobile phone, which has the antenna in the handset. In this case, the antenna is very close to the user’s head during normal use of the telephone and there is concern about the level of microwave emissions to which the brain is being exposed.
Telephones that have the antenna mounted elsewhere are of little concern, since exposure levels decrease rapidly with increasing distance from the antenna.
Reports have appeared in the media linking the use of mobile telephones with, among other things, headaches, hot spots in the brain and brain cancer.
Media reports have claimed that up to 70 percent of the microwave emissions from hand-held mobile telephones may be absorbed in the user’s head. This is not supported by the evidence, but nevertheless leads to speculation that hot spots may be created in the user’s brain, thereby raising concerns that the telephones may be a health risk. Other reports have indicated that mobile telephone users suffer localized headaches when they use their telephone. At this stage, it is difficult to evaluate the evidence supporting these reports, since they have not been published.
Against these backdrops that a new decades-long study has just been launched to investigate whether there is a link between the use of mobile phones and long-term health problems such as cancer.
The cohort study on mobile communications (COSMOS) forms part of the Mobile Telecommunications and Health Research (MTHR) Programme. The international study will run for 20-30 years and will follow the health of at least 250,000 participants, aged 18-69 in five European countries.
There are currently over six billion mobile phone devices in use worldwide, with over 70 million in use in the UK, which has a population of 61 million people.
Studies of short term use of mobile phones and health have been reassuring, other than well known associations with risk of motor accidents. However, there are still some uncertainties about the health effects of mobile phone use, since some diseases take many years to develop and so far few people have been using mobile phones for that period of time.
Dr. Mireille Toledano, co-Principal Investigator of the study from the School of Public Health at Imperial College London, said: "For the benefit of current users and for future generations, it is important for us to carry out long-term health monitoring of a large group of mobile phone users so that we can identify if there are any possible health effects from this new and widespread technology that has become so central to our everyday lives."
Professor Paul Elliott, Principal Investigator of the study from the School of Public Health at Imperial College London, said: "Scientists have been looking at the effects of mobile phones on health for several years and so far, reviews of the research have been reassuring with respect to mobile phone use and health problems in the short term. However, as mobile phones have only been in widespread use for a relatively short time, we haven’t been able to carry out long-term studies until now.
"COSMOS aims to fill in important gaps in our knowledge of mobile phones and health. By looking at large numbers of people across Europe over a long period of time, we should be able to build up a valuable picture of whether or not there is any link between mobile phone use and health problems over the long term," added Professor Elliott.
Through four major mobile phone operators, the COSMOS project team from Imperial College London is inviting 2.4 million mobile phone users in the UK to take part in the study.
Participants who agree to take part in the study will complete an on-line questionnaire about their mobile phone use, health and lifestyle. The researchers will monitor participants’ mobile phone use and any health problems they might develop, e.g., cancers and neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, for at least the next 20 years. They will also analyse whether any changes in the frequency of symptoms, such as headaches and sleep disorders, are related to mobile phone usage.
"Over the past decade, mobile phones have become a normal part of everyday life for the majority of people in Britain. The COSMOS study is the largest research study worldwide investigating mobile phone use and health and is a very important step towards finding out whether there are health implications of using a mobile phone over a long period of time," said Dr Toledano.
Professor Lawrie Challis from the MTHR Programme Management Committee said "We still cannot rule out the possibility that mobile phone use causes cancer. The balance of present evidence does not suggest it does but we need to be sure. The best way of doing this is through a large cohort study such as COSMOS and I am very pleased that the UK is to play an important part in this international endeavour."
The study follows on from successful pilot studies carried out between 2004 and 2008 during the first phase of the MTHR Programme.
Microwaves are but one type of electromagnetic field. One of the ways that these fields are described is by specifying their frequency. The range of frequencies that is useful for telecommunications include microwaves.
Some public concern about mobile telephones is erroneously based on media attention to the possibility of adverse effects from exposure to power-line electromagnetic fields, which have a much lower frequency than the microwaves emitted by mobile telephones. The physical properties and biological effects of these fields are very different from microwaves and it is meaningless to extrapolate the results of those studies to the subject of this Information Bulletin.
Some research has indicated that non-thermal effects resulting from low-level microwave exposure may also occur. However, the existence of these effects and their implications has not been sufficiently established to allow for them in the standard.
The World Health organization (WHO) states that "current scientific evidence that exposure to RF fields, such as those emitted by mobile phones and their base stations, is unlikely to induce or promote cancers".
WhatsApp has announced the commencement of global reservations for usernames, a new privacy-focused feature designed to allow users connect without sharing their phone numbers.
The Meta-owned messaging platform said the rollout of username reservations began on Monday, June 29, enabling users to reserve their preferred usernames ahead of the feature’s full in-app launch later this year.
According to the company, users will receive notifications within the app once the reservation option becomes available to them.
WhatsApp said the new feature is intended to strengthen user privacy by giving people an alternative way to communicate without revealing their phone numbers, particularly when interacting with new contacts or participating in group conversations.
It explained that unlike social media platforms, WhatsApp usernames are not designed for public discovery, noting that there will be no searchable directory or username suggestions.
The company said users would need to know a person’s exact username before they can initiate contact for the first time.
“Sometimes you just want to chat without handing over your digits,” WhatsApp said, adding that the feature would be useful in situations such as joining community or school groups where users may not wish to immediately disclose their phone numbers.
To enhance security, the platform is also introducing an optional username key, which will require anyone contacting a user for the first time through their username to enter an additional unique key.
WhatsApp said the extra verification layer is designed to provide greater control over who can initiate conversations.
The company noted that with more than three billion users worldwide, it decided to open username reservations ahead of the full rollout to give users an opportunity to secure their preferred usernames before the feature becomes widely available.
To assist users who may have difficulty selecting unique usernames, WhatsApp said it has developed a username generator capable of suggesting available options.
The company also disclosed that creators, small businesses and organisations would have the option of claiming the same usernames they already use on Instagram or Facebook, helping them maintain a consistent online identity across Meta platforms.
According to WhatsApp, once the feature becomes fully available, users who choose to enable usernames will no longer have their phone numbers displayed when they initiate conversations with people or businesses for the first time.
The company said reserving a username will take only a few seconds through the latest version of the application by navigating to Settings, then Account, and Username.
WhatsApp said the feature would be rolled out gradually across countries over the coming months, with users receiving notifications when it becomes available in their respective regions.
Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has been ranked among the top three best-performing Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government in the 2026 Public Service Reforms Performance Assessment conducted by the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR).
L-R: Engr. Abraham Oshadami, Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC); Dr. Abubakar Ibrahim Kana, Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, Office of the Secretary General to the Government of the Federation during the Nigerian Public Service Award and Gala Night where NCC recieved the award for 3rd Best Performing MDA at Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja on the 23rd June, 2026.
In the latest Public Service Reforms Performance Assessment, the Commission was ranked third overall, following a comprehensive evaluation across key reform indicators, including the Self-Assessment Tool (SAT), Freedom of Information (FOI) Compliance Score, Fiscal Transparency and Integrity Index, and official website performance metrics.
In the ranking, the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) and Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) came first and second, respectively.
The institutional ranking, conducted across all MDAs of the Federal Government, recognises MDAs that have distinguished themselves in advancing public service reforms and delivering excellence in service.
Aside from the institutional awards, 20 individuals across federal, state and local levels received various distinguished public service excellence and leadership awards, for their sterling performance in public service, including the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack; Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals, Mrs. Adejoke Adefulire, among others.
Representing the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, at the award ceremony on Tuesday in Abuja, the Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, Engr. Abraham Oshadami, spoke on behalf of the NCC and other awardees present, expressing appreciation to the Bureau for sustaining the annual assessment framework.
“First; on behalf of all awardees, and second, on behalf of the Board, Management, and staff of the Nigerian Communications Commission, we thank the Bureau for these recognitions. For us at NCC, this recognition acknowledges our ongoing reform efforts and underscores the need to sustain them,” he stated.
He stated that the BPSR recognition served as a motivation for MDAs to strengthen their commitment to service delivery, noting that, for the NCC, the award also served as an affirmation that its reforms aimed at improving transparency and accountability in the sector were yielding greater public acceptance and positive recognition.
“For our telecommunications consumers, this recognition reflects ongoing efforts to strengthen service quality, transparency, and responsiveness across the sector.
“The assessment outcome also reinforces the importance of maintaining standards that support improved customer experience and greater confidence in telecom services nationwide,” he said.
Oshadami restated the Commission’s commitment to applying regulatory tools and innovative approaches towards supporting measurable improvements in service quality and consumer protection across Nigeria’s telecommunications sector.
The Commission has, over the past two years, introduced far-reaching reforms to promote transparency and accountability in the telecommunications sector.
These include the introduction of the National Coverage Map, which provides near real-time information on the performance and availability of operators’ networks across the country, as well as the publication of Quarterly Network Performance Reports, which provide detailed assessments of network performance nationwide.
Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) have also been directed to simplify the communication of their tariffs in a manner that is clear and easy for consumers to understand.
In addition, operators are required to comply with the updated Corporate Governance Guidelines, which emphasise stronger corporate accountability and improved operational performance.
The Commission has also placed significant emphasis on the proactive publication of clear, comprehensive, and timely data on industry activities to keep the public well informed and enhance accountability across the telecommunications sector.
In his remarks, the Director-General of BPSR, Mr. Dasuki Arabi, commended all participating MDAs – particularly the top performers for 2026 broader assessment- for their efforts toward transparency, accountability, and open governance. He noted that these values reflect consistency with established public service standards.
“This annual event, which begins with a public lecture and concludes with an award ceremony, marks the commemoration of the United Nations Public Service Day.
“It also highlights the role of the Nigeria Public Service Lecture Series and Awards as a platform for recognising MDAs that have demonstrated strong performance in reform implementation and service delivery,” he said.
The NCC was ranked the second-best-performing Federal Government agency in the 2025 website performance assessment by the BPSR.
This year’s evaluation was an expanded one, touching not only on official website performance metrics, but also on other parameters such as SAT, FOI Compliance Score, Fiscal Transparency and Integrity Index.
Telecom
Womenovate, MTN Foundation Lead Charge for Inclusive Tech at Women in Technology and Engineering Summit
MTN Foundation, in a strategic partnership with Womenovate, officially kicked off the fifth edition of the Women in Technology and Engineering Summit (WITESA) at the MUSON Centre, Lagos, on June 23, 2026.
The summit, themed, “Engineering Africa’s future: Innovation, Infrastructure, and inclusive technology”, was designed to dismantle barriers for women in Science, Technology, Engineering, Agriculture, and Mathematics (STEAM) fields.
The summit serves as a call to action for corporate stakeholders, policymakers, and industry leaders to cultivate a more equitable digital ecosystem for female-led innovations. As a key sponsor, the MTN Foundation reinforced its commitment to nurturing future talent by integrating female students into the summit where they engaged directly with industry experts and gained exposure to emerging technologies.
The Lagos State Government, recognising the importance of initiatives like WITESA, highlighted the need for inclusive policy frameworks. Representing the Executive Governor of Lagos State, His Excellency Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, the Honourable Commissioner for Innovation, Science, and Technology, Olatunbosun Alake, noted that the summit aligns perfectly with the state’s vision for growth. “Innovation and infrastructure alone are not enough; they must be inclusive,” Hon. Alake remarked.
“Initiatives such as WITESA are important. They provide the visibility, mentorship, and recognition that inspire young women to pursue careers in engineering, technology, artificial intelligence, data science, renewable energy, advanced manufacturing and other emerging sectors.”
Speaking on the company’s commitment to gender equity, the General Manager of Enterprise Marketing at MTN Nigeria, Njideka Jack, highlighted the telecom giant’s data-driven approach to social impact. “MTN is intentional in closing the digital gender gap. With a 41.4% female workforce and 46.4% female representation in executive positions, alongside our matching fund and the empowerment of 5,754 Y’ellopreneurs, we are proud of our journey in empowering women,” she stated.
Jack emphasised that MTN’s focus remains firm, adding, “We are represented at the intersection of innovation, infrastructure, and inclusive technology, and our presence here today reflects our dedication to creating sustainable pathways for women in tech.”
The event concluded on June 24 with an award ceremony celebrating trailblazers who have made significant contributions to scientific and technological advancement in Nigeria.
The ceremony honoured distinguished leaders, including Bukola Ajayi, Chief Information Officer of MTN Nigeria; Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Chairman of Access Holdings Plc and Coronation Group; Nkemdilim Uwaje Begho, CEO of Future Software Resources Limited; and Ude Enebeli, Acting Chief Information Officer of MTN Cameroon, among other industry luminaries.
Motunrayo Opayinka, CEO of Womenovate and the convener of the summit, expressed that these awards are critical to normalising women’s contributions in high-impact technical fields. “This award is a celebration of those whose vision and dedication are rewriting the narrative of African technology,” Opayinka said.
“By recognising these leaders, we are inspiring a new generation to see themselves as the architects of Africa’s future.”
The summit marked a significant step forward in the conversation around digital inclusion, translating high-level dialogue into a concrete roadmap for policy and practice. By leveraging the combined strengths of its sponsors and adopting a community-driven approach, Womenovate established a new benchmark for corporate responsibility within Nigeria’s tech ecosystem.
The event concluded with an award ceremony celebrating industry leaders and trailblazers, reinforcing a shared vision where innovation, infrastructure, and inclusivity serve as key drivers of Africa’s technological future.
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