Telecom
ATCON Sets June 9 for its Conference on Actualization of National Broadband Target of 70%

The Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) has announced Thursday, June 9, 2022 as date for one of its flagship events – National Strategic Mobilization for the Actualization of National Broadband Target of 70% Conference & Exhibition.
The event themed – Realizing the new set target of 70% of Broadband Penetration is billed for Thursday, June 9, 2022 in Abuja.
Speaking about the conference, Engr Ikechukwu Nnamani, President, Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), said that It is imperative for the government and players in the telecoms & ICT ecosystem to leverage on various sub-groups under the membership of ATCON to ensure and guarantee that the new Nigerian National Broadband Plan 2020-2025 is adequately positioned to deliver its ultimate purposes for the generality of Nigerians in a quicker and strategic manner.
He noted that ATCON is an organization that usually gives its members the opportunity to review and provide insightful approaches and solutions along with the Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Nigeria Data Protection Bureau and State Governments as to what to be done to support various programmes and projects that are earmarked for the successful implementation of the previous National Broadband Plan under past ministers.
“The strategic objectives of this very important event are to compliment the various strategic activities already embarked upon by the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy and all the agencies under the Ministry to achieve the set target of Broadband penetration in Nigeria with great speed.
“To leverage on the wide spectrum of ATCON’ sub-groups for effective participation in the new Nigerian National Broadband Plan 2020-2025 by giving them the opportunity to access the plan and suggest various ways to speed up the realization of the established target by the government and also serve as a veritable platform to galvanize the needed input that reflect the thinkings of the telecom and ICT sector. This is an opportunity to review the relevance of the Nigerian policy environment vis-a-vis the telecom operating environment”.
According to him, Prof Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, Minister, Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, is expected to deliver the principal keynote address at the event.
Also, Prof Umar Garba Danbatta, EVC/CEO, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Mr Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, Director-General/CEO, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Engr Aliyu Aziz Abubakar, Director-General/CEO, National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Dr Vincent Olatunji, National Commissioner, Nigeria Data Protection Bureau and Engr. Ubale Ahmed Maska, Chair, Nigerian National Broadband Plan Implementation Steering Committee will all make presentations on the Overview of the New Nigerian National Broadband Plan 2020 – 2025 and status of implementation by their various organizations respectively.
Mr. Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, Executive Governor, Akwa Ibom State; Prof. Charles Soludo, Executive Governor, Anambra State; Senator Douye Diri, Executive Governor, Bayelsa State; Engr. Dave Nweze Umahi FNSE, FNATE, Executive Governor, Ebonyi State; Senator Hope Uzodinma, Executive Governor, Imo State; Mallam Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai, Executive Governor, Kaduna State; Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, OFR, Executive Governor, Kano State; Alhaji Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, Executive Governor, Kebbi State; Mr. Yahaya Bello, Executive Governor, Kogi State; Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Executive Governor, Lagos State; Alhaji Abdullahi Sule, Executive Governor, Nasarawa State; Mr. Dapo Abiodun, Executive Governor, Ogun State; Engr. Oluwaseyi Makinde, Executive Governor, Oyo State; Chief Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, Executive Governor, Rivers State; Alhaji Mai Mala Buni, Executive Governor, Yobe State and Mr. Mohammed Musa Bello, Honourable Minister, Federal Capital Territory and their representatives will also make presentations on what their administrations are doing in terms of Right of Way, Ease of Doing Business, National Dig Once Policy and other strategic initiatives for the actualization of digital economy in their respective states. The Central Bank of Nigeria has also been invited to make a brief presentation on the plan to create a special window for foreign exchange for telecom sector. Some banks have also been invited to react the presentation by CBN Governor on how they can increase the loan disbursement to the sector.
Each sub-sector is an integral part of the entire ecosystem of the Nigerian telecom and ICT sector hence, there shall be paper presentations by representatives from the following Subsectors; MNOs; Submarine/Undersea Cable Operators/National Critical Infrastructure; Towers/Base Stations Providers; Internet Services Providers (ISP) – Wholesale Segment; Internet Services Providers (ISP) – Retail Segment; Satellite Operators; Manufacturers’ Representative; Over The Top (OTT) Players; Data Centre Operators; Metro-Fibre Operators; Cloud Computing; Fiber to the Home (FTTH) Operators; FINTECH/e-Commerce Operators; eGovernment Services Providers and Value Added Services Providers (VAS).
Telecom
Glo Boosts Network Capacity for Enhanced Customer Experience

Globacom is rolling out extensive network improvements to deliver a significantly better experience for its customers. These proactive measures are designed to ensure subscribers continue to get excellent value, particularly following recent tariff adjustments.
The ongoing upgrade involves a widespread deployment of new base stations, expanding coverage to previously underserved areas, and strengthening existing coverage in growing population centres. This strategic densification will guarantee superior network quality for both voice and data services across the entire country.
In a significant investment, Globacom is also re-routing its fibre infrastructure in several locations where road construction has compromised the fibre, including vital routes like Auchi-Okene and Benin-Ekpoma, Lafia-Akwanga, Minna-Abuja, and Funtua-Gusau.
“We decided, at a huge cost, to relocate the fibres, many of which had been vandalized in several places by uncoordinated road construction activities, in order to bring best-in-class services to customers”, the company disclosed.
Customers can look forward to brighter days ahead as Glo completes the deployment of hundreds of new sites nationwide. This year alone, thousands of 4G LTE sites have been activated in key cities, with additional hundreds of new sites are currently being deployed to further boost connectivity. These efforts are supported by massive upgrades of backhaul capacity (microwave and fibre) and a seamless improvement in the core network.
Globacom assured its subscribers that these ongoing initiatives will translate to enhanced service delivery, expanded coverage, faster data speeds, and overall improved network performance. The company plans to add over a thousand new sites in the next year, prioritizing LTE expansion to deepen its reliable data reach and extending fibre to more hub sites for greater service robustness.
Furthermore, Glo is committed to minimizing its carbon footprint by expanding hybrid power solutions and relying more on battery power across its sites, representing another substantial investment.
Despite these positive developments, Globacom continues to highlight the challenge of deliberate sabotage of network equipment, even with its designation as critical national infrastructure, emphasizing the need for stronger protective measures.
Telecom
MTN’s Uto Ukpanah Becomes 30th ICSAN President, Reinforcing Female Leadership in Governance

Nigeria’s corporate landscape is witnessing a significant transformation, with women increasingly occupying leadership positions and reshaping the narrative at the highest levels. A striking example of this shift unfolded recently as Mrs. Uto Ukpanah, FCIS, Company Secretary of MTN Nigeria, was inaugurated as the 30th President and Chairman of Council of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN).

L-R: Dr. Karl Toriola, CEO, MTN Nigeria; Uto Ukpanah, President, ICSAN and Company Secretary, MTN Nigeria, and Aniekan Ukpanah, Managing Partner, Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie at the Investiture Ceremony of Uto Ukpanah as ICSAN 30th President, held in Lagos on Wednesday, July 23, 2o25.
Historically, ICSAN was led exclusively by men for nearly 57 years. However, the trend began to change in 2023 when Mrs. Funmi Ekundayo broke barriers as the Institute’s first female president. In 2025, her successor and former vice president, Mrs. Ukpanah, has now become only the second woman to assume the presidency, marking a major milestone in Nigeria’s governance sector.
This development aligns with the broader momentum for women’s leadership across Nigeria’s business ecosystem. MTN Nigeria stands out as a champion of gender diversity. The company’s 2024 Annual Report reveals that women now constitute 41.4% of the workforce, a marked increase by 3% compared to 2023.
Among executive management, women hold 34.7% of positions, while female board representation stands at 21.4%. MTN’s deliberate drive, bolstered by initiatives such as the Women in Tech programme and the Y’ello Mums Internship, is fostering a pipeline of female talent across all tiers.
Female leaders at MTN are shaping strategy and impact on multiple fronts: Dr. Mosun Olusoga chairs the MTN Foundation; Odunayo Sanya serves as the Executive Director, MTN Foundation; Dr. Omobola Johnson contributes as a Non-Executive Director of the Board of Directors; and a host of others including Lynda Saint-Nwafor, Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, Esther Akinnukawe, Ugonwa Nwoye, among others, lead critical business functions.
MTN’s policy of inclusion is reflected not just in numbers, but in recent recognitions. In 2024, Odunayo Sanya was named CSI Personality of the Year at the Nigeria Tech Innovation & Telecoms Awards, and Josephine Sarouk, Managing Director of Bayobab Nigeria (subsidiary of MTN), received the Woman in Telecoms Award in London.
Mrs. Ukpanah herself was honoured as the first-ever African recipient of the Global Corporate Secretary of the Year Award by the Corporate Secretaries International Association (CSIA), a testament to her pioneering leadership.
Ukpanah’s investiture as ICSAN President was held on July 23, 2025, in Lagos, attracting an array of dignitaries, government officials, and business leaders. Chaired by Prof. Hakeem Belo-Osagie, with a keynote delivered by Dr. Omobola Johnson, the event saw the full support of MTN Nigeria’s top brass, including CEO Karl Toriola and Board Chairman Dr. Ernest Ndukwe. In his goodwill message, Dr. Ndukwe remarked:
“This honour is a fitting recognition for Uto’s distinguished career, unwavering professionalism, and deep commitment to the principles of good governance. Uto has consistently exemplified the values that I believe ICSAN upholds, and we are confident that her leadership will further strengthen the Institute’s aspirations towards promoting excellence in governance.
“At MTN Nigeria, we are proud of her achievements and reaffirm our full support as she embarks on this important assignment. We look forward to the positive impact her tenure will bring to ICSAN.”
Also, her husband, Aniekan Ukpanah, Senior Partner at Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie, described her as “a passionate steward, rooted in family, bound by purpose, and committed to legacy.” Outgoing ICSAN President Mrs. Ekundayo added that Ukpanah is “astute, visionary, and principled.”
Mrs. Ukpanah’s ascendancy to ICSAN’s top office, and MTN’s visible support, do more than celebrate personal or organisational victories; they signal a new era, one in which women are not just present, but are key architects of governance and future prosperity for Nigeria.
Telecom
NIMC Warns Nigerians Against Selling NIN Data Amid Rising Identity Fraud

National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has issued a stern warning to Nigerians over the illegal sale of personal data, including the National Identification Number (NIN), amid reports of a growing underground market targeting unsuspecting citizens.
In a statement released on Sunday, the Commission expressed deep concern following revelations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that young Nigerians are offering between ₦1,500 and ₦2,000 to individuals in exchange for their NIN and other sensitive details. These details are then allegedly resold to certain fintech platforms for as much as ₦5,000.
“This is not just a case of minor fraud, it’s a threat to national security and personal safety,” said Dr. Kayode Adegoke, Head of Corporate Communications at NIMC. “When you hand over your data to unknown agents, you are essentially handing over control of your identity.”
The Commission reiterated that it will not be held liable for any misuse of personal data shared voluntarily by individuals or through third parties for financial gain or inducement.
NIMC further cautioned service providers to ensure that every NIN presented for services is properly verified using approved channels before access is granted.
To safeguard personal identity, Nigerians are encouraged to download the NINAuth App, available on Apple iOS and Google Play Store. The app enables users to manage, secure, and control access to their NIN data.
“The story of your identity should be written by you, not sold for a quick payout,” the Commission stated.
NAN reports that the NIMC’s advisory comes amid rising concerns over digital identity theft and the misuse of personal data in Nigeria’s expanding fintech ecosystem.
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