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Atcon Calls for Fake Phones Switch off, NCC Warns Dealers

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Dr. Eugene Juwah, executive vice chairman, NCC
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Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (Atcon) has asked the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) to compel telecommunications operators to switch off all fake and substandard mobile phones in a bid to eradicate them from circulation.

NCC however said that it would visit mobile phones and equipment vendors with harsh punitive measures if they fail to comply with standard regulations framework within the next two week.

Counterfeit phones are copies of popular brands and models made from sub-standard materials and are not licensed by the NCC.

Though reliable statistics are hard to come by, it is believed that more than half of all phones in the country are fake or sub-standard.

Lanre Ajayi, president, Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria said that any device that is not type approved by the NCC should not be used on the any network.

Ajayi urged NCC to find a way to ensure that such devices, including phones are not allowed to work on any network in the country.

Nigeria CommunicationsWeek gathered there are technologies which allow fake phones to be switched off and barred from receiving; making calls; or carrying other network activities.

The technologies bar only the phones as sim cards can still be transferred to genuine mobiles and no data will be lost.

A mobile phone is also deemed fake if its IMEI number – the unique identifier for each phone – is not recognised by an international database.

Dr. Alex Ukwuani, an ICT security expert said that fake phones have both safety and security perspectives

“A criminal can use fake mobile phone to perpetuate crime and it will be difficult for the security agencies to trace the culprit” he added.

But in a renewed bid to protect consumers from substandard phones and other devices; NCC has warned companies  still flouting its regulation on type-approval for all telecom devices and equipment to stop forthwith or face the consequences.

The NCC has previously shut down mobile phone vendors over distribution and sale of non-type approved devices in the country.

The Commission accused vendors of endangering lives of consumers with substandard mobile devices.

Tony Ojobo, director of public affairs at the Commission said in media advertorials that “mobile handsets and other telecommunication equipment/devices which have not been type approved by the Commission are being advertised for sale in some national dailies.”

Consequently, the Commission has issued a “14 days pre-enforcement and warning notice.”  The notice which took effect from Monday, November 26 notified that all “all dealers/companies or persons to immediately ensure all telecommunications devices are type approved” by it before they offered for sale in the open market.

Ojobo stated that the Commission has the enforcement right to arrest and prosecute offenders. They also threaten to “confiscate devices that are not type approved.”

Last February, the Commission shut down 17 firms in the Lagos ‘Compute Village’ taunted as the largest ICT market in the African continent.

Idehen Efosa, head of enforcement, NCC who led a team of staffers and security personnel to the raids said the Commission began clampdown of the offending firms in 2011; and noted that it was an effort to rid the country of fake and substandard mobile equipment.

Nigeria’s mobile subscribers are always eager to buy devices, but are also conscious of cost. Severally, they turn to cheap mobile handsets and devices from China and other South East Asian countries like Thailand and Indonesia.

The Commission notes that several of the devices have health risk and needed to be certified as it was responsible for the consumers’ health too.


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Flutterwave Announces Massive Staff Shake-Up, Promotes Over 100 Employees

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Flutterwave has announced a company-wide employee support package that includes promotions for about 25 per cent of its global workforce, a one-off economic relief payment and enhanced support measures for employees in Nigeria.

Flutterwave Announces Massive Staff Shake-Up, Promotes Over 100 Employees

The fintech company said more than 100 employees across its global operations had been promoted as part of efforts to reward performance and strengthen employee welfare.

In addition, all staff worldwide will receive a one-time economic relief payment, while employees in Nigeria will benefit from additional tax support and cost-of-living adjustments following recent regulatory changes affecting take-home pay.

The company said the initiative was introduced in response to rising living costs across key markets, particularly in Nigeria, where inflation and increased transportation expenses have placed pressure on household incomes.

Speaking on the development, Olugbenga Agboola, founder and Chief Executive Officer of Flutterwave, described employees as the driving force behind the company’s growth and innovation.

“I often say our people are our secret sauce. They are the ultimate engine behind everything we build, giving us the capacity to create solutions that power businesses, unlock opportunities and move money seamlessly across Africa and beyond,” he said.

According to the company, the support measures form part of its broader strategy to improve staff welfare, retain talent and create an environment where employees can focus on their work without undue financial pressure.

Also speaking, Annette Akpolo said the initiative reflects a balance between rewarding individual performance and addressing the collective needs of employees.

“Our goal has always been to build an environment where our people can focus on doing their best work, rather than being weighed down by economic anxiety.

“Pairing merit-based individual growth with supporting the collective needs of the whole team are both essential parts of how we build a company culture where people genuinely want to stay and grow over the long term,” she said.

Founded in 2016, Flutterwave is marking its 10th anniversary in 2026.

The company disclosed that it has processed more than one billion transactions and facilitated over 40 billion dollars in total payment value globally since inception.

Flutterwave also reported strong growth across its payment channels, including a 289 per cent increase in wallet-based collections by transaction volume and a 184 per cent rise in bank transfer value over the past year.

The company attributed the growth to increasing adoption of local payment methods across its operating markets.

Industry observers note that the latest employee support package comes amid increasing competition for skilled talent in Nigeria’s fintech sector, where firms are adjusting compensation and benefits to retain workers in the face of rising living costs.

Agboola said future growth opportunities within the company would continue to be based on performance, leadership and meaningful contributions to its mission.

“At Flutterwave, growth is earned through meaningful contributions to the business and to the mission we are building together.

“As we continue to grow, the people who will shape our future are those who consistently step up, solve hard problems, support others and move the company forward,” he said.


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AI and IoT Hold the Key to Nigeria’s Economic Future – NCC

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Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has identified Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) as critical technologies for improving business efficiency, accelerating innovation and supporting Nigeria’s ambition to build a $1 trillion digital economy.

AI and IoT Hold the Key to Nigeria’s Economic Future - NCC

Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NCC, made this known at the 17th edition of Nigeria Communications Week and Africa’s Beacon of ICT Merit and Leadership Award held in Lagos.

Represented by Toluwalase Modele Rufai, Acting Controller of the NCC Lagos Office, Maida said AI and IoT had evolved from emerging technologies into powerful tools driving productivity, reducing operational costs and creating competitive advantages across multiple sectors.

Speaking on the theme, “Impact of AI and IoT on Business Operational Efficiency,” he described the technologies as indispensable to Nigeria’s economic transformation agenda.

“This year’s theme is not only timely but profoundly important. As Nigeria accelerates its journey toward a $1 trillion digital economy, Artificial Intelligence and the Internet of Things have moved from futuristic concepts to present-day drivers of productivity, cost optimisation and competitive advantage across every sector,” he said.

According to him, AI-powered predictive analytics is helping manufacturers anticipate equipment failures before they occur, reducing downtime and maintenance costs, while IoT-enabled sensors are improving agricultural productivity through real-time monitoring of soil conditions.

He added that connected technologies are transforming logistics and supply chain management by improving visibility, reducing delays, lowering operational costs and enhancing customer satisfaction.

“Across banking, healthcare, smart cities, manufacturing and governance, these technologies are streamlining operations, automating routine tasks and unlocking data-driven decision-making that was unimaginable just a decade ago,” he said.

Maida, however, stressed that the successful deployment of AI and IoT depends largely on the availability of resilient and high-capacity telecommunications infrastructure.

“At the heart of every AI and IoT deployment lies one critical enabler: resilient, high-capacity connectivity. Without secure, scalable broadband networks, the full promise of real-time data exchange, seamless device interoperability and intelligent automation remains unfulfilled,” he said.

The NCC boss said the commission was reviewing the Nigerian National Broadband Plan (NNBP) 2020–2025 to improve efficiency and sustainability within the telecommunications sector.

He disclosed that the commission was also engaging state governments to reduce Right-of-Way charges and administrative bottlenecks in order to accelerate fibre-optic infrastructure deployment nationwide.

According to him, the NCC has made harmonised spectrum resources available to support mobile broadband, fixed wireless access and IoT services, while the 2026–2030 Spectrum Roadmap is expected to create additional opportunities for broadband expansion and emerging technologies.

“With broadband penetration exceeding 52 per cent and growing 4G and 5G adoption, these efforts enhance efficient spectrum management, drive innovation, provide regulatory certainty and position Nigeria in line with global best practices,” he said.

Maida also highlighted the commission’s recently introduced General Authorisation Framework, which provides a regulatory sandbox for innovators to test AI, IoT, blockchain and other emerging technologies in a controlled environment.

He noted that the NCC had strengthened cybersecurity and consumer protection through initiatives such as the designation of telecommunications infrastructure as Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII), adoption of a Zero-Trust cybersecurity framework and implementation of guidelines for secure AI and IoT deployment.

The NCC chief emphasised the need for collaboration among government agencies, regulators, operators, technology providers, academia and investors to address challenges such as inadequate power supply, skills shortages, data privacy concerns and consumer protection issues.

“The NCC remains fully committed to creating an enabling, predictable regulatory environment that attracts investment, spurs innovation and delivers inclusive growth,” he said.

Maida urged stakeholders to work collectively towards building a digitally empowered nation where AI and IoT technologies not only improve business efficiency but also transform lives, strengthen the economy and position Nigeria as a leader in Africa’s digital future.

The event brought together regulators, industry leaders, innovators and other stakeholders to discuss emerging trends, policy directions and technological innovations shaping Nigeria’s digital economy.


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Good News for DStv Users: Watch Over 160 Channels Without Paying Extra

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MultiChoice Nigeria has launched a month-long promotional campaign tagged “Open Time”, offering eligible DStv subscribers access to higher viewing packages at no additional cost.

Good News for DStv Users: Watch Over 160 Channels Without Paying Extra

The promotion, which runs from June 1 to June 30, 2026, is aimed at rewarding existing customers, reconnecting subscribers and attracting new users across Nigeria.

Under the initiative, active subscribers on selected lower-tier packages, including Compact and Compact+, will automatically be upgraded to higher viewing tiers, with some customers gaining temporary access to Premium content during the promotional period.

According to the company, eligible subscribers will not be required to register or manually activate the offer, as upgrades will be applied automatically once subscription payments are confirmed.

In a statement announcing the campaign, MultiChoice said the initiative was designed to provide customers with access to a wider range of entertainment content and enhance viewing experiences.

“The Open Time initiative is a simple way for our customers to enjoy more of the stories they love and discover new content across genres, as long as their accounts remain active during the period,” the company stated.

The DStv Premium package, which currently costs N44,500 per month, offers access to more than 160 channels, including sports, movies, documentaries, children’s programming, news and lifestyle content.

MultiChoice said the offer applies to subscribers who maintain active accounts throughout the campaign period.

The company added that the promotion forms part of efforts to enhance customer value by providing broader access to entertainment content, including drama, sports, action and children’s programmes.

To participate, subscribers are required to make payments through approved channels such as the official DStv website, the MyDStv mobile application, USSD banking platforms and authorised payment agents.

The company clarified that all promotional upgrades would automatically expire at the end of June, after which subscribers would revert to their original subscription packages.

Industry analysts say the campaign comes amid increasing competition within Nigeria’s pay television and streaming market, where service providers are introducing incentives and value-added offerings to attract and retain customers.

MultiChoice said the initiative reflects its commitment to delivering quality entertainment and ensuring subscribers enjoy greater value from their subscriptions.


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