Telecom
ATCON Visits LASIMRA, Seeks 95% Slash on RoW Charges

The Association of Telecommunications Company of Nigeria (ATCON) has called on the Lagos State Government to consider its request for a slash on Right or Way (RoW) charges by 95%.
Mr. Olusola Teniola, president of the Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), stated this while leading ATCON’s NEC on visit to the Lagos State Infrastructure Maintenance and Regulatory Authority (LASIMRA) on Thursday.
Teniola said, aside the 95% reduction on RoW charges, the present economic realities are taking huge tolls on the members hence the need for the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode led administration to also consider 60% reduction on telecoms levies in the State.
“I would like to thank the General Manager/chief executive officer of Lagos State Infrastructure Maintenance and Regulatory Agency for creating the opportunity for the National Executive Council of the Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria to meet with the management of LASIMRA.
Concerns and Recommendations
The ATCON’s President expressed the members’ delight over the positive development in the industry, which has been identified as the fastest growing sector of the Nigerian economy and which presently contributes more than 8% to the nation’s GDP.
“This success”, he said, “is not without the slash in telecoms levies by over 40 percent and charges on right of ways 90 percent which your organization, LASIMRA supported and we are pleased to report some sort of relief to our members that are operating in Lagos State.
“We also want to appreciate the professional way in which LASIMRA has been regulating the industry. We thank the LASIMRA for being steadfast and being professional. We particularly thank the new management of LASIMRA for sustaining the tradition of excellence in the organisation. Inspite of these positive developments, our association has some concerns, some of which are listed below:
Unstable Foreign Exchange Rates Takes Toll on Telcos
– The free fall of Naira against Dollar has constituted a serious source of worry to our sector and as a matter of fact our member companies have tried to make sure that Lagosians and Nigerians as a whole have access to qualitative communications service but the continuous depreciation of the Naira is not encouraging from a CAPEX roll out perspective
Telcos’ Revenue Decline
“Revenue Derived from Voice is seriously being challenged – To worsen the situation we are as an industry, the telecommunication companies are barely making any money from voice (due to ARPU rates dropping considerably) and the direct implication of this is that the revenue that is generated from data is now being challenged by the cost of operating the business which is increasing on a daily basis and may lead to laying off (of further) staff.
Unified Duct System Proposal
“Nervousness about the implications of the introduction of this system in place of RoW and work already achieved in setting a NGN500 / linear meter rate with Lagos State Government; our members would like to be fully engaged in the process to avoid prohibitive charges creeping back in!
He said, “Generally, our request is for a further slash in telecoms levies by over 60 percent and charges on rights of ways by 95 percent. This would enable our members to build more base stations and accelerate the roll out of much needed fibre (ICT passive infrastructure) for the good of all Lagosians and by extension, Nigerians.
On his response, Mr Babajide Odekunle, general manager/CEO, LASIMRA said he was very glad to receive the National Executive Council of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria under the leadership of Mr Olusola Teniola, President ATCON.
He further said that he is set to bring some transformation and innovation to how Lagos State Infrastructure Maintenance and Regulatory Agency carries out its activities.
According to the LASIMRA boss, aside the traditional mandates that established LASIMRA, the Lagos State Government under the leadership of Governor Ambode, the agency has also been charged with the responsibility of overseeing other public utilities (Power and Oil and Gas).
He also made the NEC understand that the Association of Licence Telephone Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) and Internet Service Providers Association of Nigeria (ISPAN) were meant to be sub-group under ATCON.
He said the agency is currently carrying out and audit exercise of the numbers of masts and towers that are in Lagos State with the aim of granting some investors right of ways to build ducts and he said he would be willing to work with ATCON in order to work out sensible and fair prices for the would be investors.
Telecom
Huawei Cloud Named Carrier Hybrid Cloud Leader in Sub-Saharan Africa

On November 11, during the AfricaCom event, GlobalData unveiled its latest industry white paper, “Unleashing the Potential of Carrier-Grade Hybrid Cloud in Sub-Saharan Africa 2025”, highlighting key insights into the region’s evolving hybrid cloud landscape.
Based on comprehensive research across 13 Sub-Saharan countries and interviews with 25 leading telecom carriers, the report named Huawei Cloud as the Carrier Hybrid Cloud Leader in Sub-Saharan Africa, recognizing its leadership in technological innovation and solid market performance.

Huawei Cloud Ranked No.1 in Sub-Saharan Carrier Hybrid Cloud
Based on GlobalData’s research, assessing both technology leadership and market performance metrics, Huawei Cloud secured the top position among carrier-grade hybrid cloud vendors in the region.
Microsoft was positioned second and also recognized as a Leader, followed by AWS and Google as Dominant players. VMware and Oracle were considered Challengers.
Competitive Landscape: Carrier Grade Hybrid Cloud Sub Saharan Africa Region 2025
From a Market Performance perspective, Huawei Cloud achieved the highest rating for expanding market presence, supported by its extensive solution offerings and deep telco expertise. The study evaluated vendors against three key metrics: Market Presence, Market Differentiation, and Telco Expertise. Huawei demonstrated a stronger market push than its competitors, with Microsoft ranked second, followed by Google, AWS, VMware, and Oracle.

Market Performance: Carrier Grade Hybrid Cloud Sub Saharan Region 2025
In terms of Technology Leadership, Huawei Cloud achieved the number one aggregate score across seven major categories: Strategic Partnership, Performance and Reliability, Full Stack Infrastructure, Platform and Control, Professional Services, Big Data and Warehouse, and Artificial Intelligence. Huawei Cloud outperformed competitors in Strategic Partnership, Platform and Control, Professional Services, and Big Data & Warehouse, demonstrating a coherent and comprehensive capability across its carrier hybrid cloud portfolio.

Technology Benchmarking: Sub-Saharan Africa
Outlook for Carrier Hybrid Cloud in Africa
As Africa’s telecom industry accelerates digital transformation, hybrid cloud is becoming the cornerstone for innovation. With rapid growth in mobile data, expanding fiber networks, and rising adoption of AI and fintech services, carrier-grade hybrid cloud will empower carriers to deliver secure, intelligent, and scalable services that drive the continent’s next wave of digital growth. Huawei Cloud is committed to supporting this evolution, providing leading hybrid cloud solutions and deep telco expertise to help carriers succeed in the region.
Click the link to view the full report.(LINK)
Telecom
FG Launches Galaxy Backbone’s 1Gov ECM Platform, Marks Major Milestone in Nigeria’s Digital Transformation Journey

The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF), has officially launched the 1Gov Enterprise Content Management (ECM) Platform, developed and powered by Galaxy Backbone Limited (GBB). The launch marks a historic milestone in Nigeria’s journey toward building a digitally-driven, efficient, and knowledge-based public service.

The Go-Live ceremony, held at the Head of Service Conference Hall, Abuja, brought together senior government officials, including Permanent Secretaries from the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Special Duties, the management of Galaxy Backbone Limited, partners, and key stakeholders in Nigeria’s public sector digital ecosystem.
Delivering her address, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Esther Didi Walson-Jack, described the launch as a defining moment in the transformation of Nigeria’s civil service. She noted that the deployment of the GBB 1Gov ECM represents the fulfilment of a major commitment under the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP) aimed at driving efficiency, transparency, and data-driven decision-making across the service.
Mrs. Walson-Jack highlighted the progress made over the past year and seven months, including the creation of 59,344 official email accounts, comprehensive data cleansing and harmonization processes, and the successful migration from the previous Laserfiche ECMS to Galaxy Backbone’s sovereign 1Gov Cloud ECM platform. She emphasized that no Ministry, Department, or Agency (MDA) will need to restart the process, as the OHCSF has fully transitioned to the locally hosted platform.
In outlining the rationale behind the migration, she identified four key pillars underpinning the initiative:
- National Sovereignty of Digital Infrastructure: Strengthening Nigeria’s ownership and control over its data and digital systems through a government-owned platform managed by GBB.
- National Interoperability: Eliminating silos by enabling seamless collaboration and information sharing across MDAs through a unified platform.
- Scale Advantage: Promoting uniform record management and operational standards across government institutions.
- Faster and Inclusive Adoption: Enabling swift onboarding, electronic workflows, and e-signature adoption to accelerate the government’s transition to digital processes.
During a live demonstration of the 1Gov ECM platform, Mr. Ayodeji Bakare, 1Gov ECM Project Lead, reaffirmed GBB’s commitment to powering the Federal Government’s digital transformation goals. He revealed that over 893 staff members have already been enrolled and are actively using key features such as GovMail, document management, and workflow automation tools that enhance efficiency, transparency, and accountability.
Representing the Managing Director/CEO of Galaxy Backbone Limited, Professor Ibrahim A. Adeyanju, the Executive Director, Finance and Corporate Services, Mr. Sani Ibrahim, commended the OHCSF for its visionary leadership and collaboration. He stated that the deployment of the 1Gov ECM brings Nigeria significantly closer to achieving a fully paperless government by December 31, 2025, emphasizing that the Galaxy Backbone 1Government Cloud remains central to the nation’s digital transformation agenda.
He further highlighted that GBB has already deployed its 1Government Cloud solution across several ministries and agencies, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, and the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, among others. This, he noted, reflects GBB’s unwavering commitment to supporting all MDAs in their digitalisation journey, ensuring that Nigeria achieves its national digital transformation and sustainability goals.
The event concluded with renewed commitments from government leaders, partners, and MDAs to continue working collaboratively with Galaxy Backbone in advancing the modernization of Nigeria’s public service through the deployment of secure, innovative, and sustainable digital systems.
Telecom
ALTON Seeks Clear Rules to Strengthen Nigeria’s Digital Economy

Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has urged lawmakers to provide unambiguous regulatory guidance in the proposed National Digital Economy and E-Governance Bill, 2025, emphasising that clarity and structured collaboration are essential to drive investor confidence and sustainable growth in the country’s digital sector.

Gbenga Adebayo, chairman, ALTON
Gbenga Adebayo, chairman, ALTON, presented the association’s position during the Joint National Assembly Committee hearing on the Bill, commending legislators for their efforts to modernise Nigeria’s digital landscape and establish a legal framework for emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Representing all licensed telecom network and infrastructure operators in Nigeria, ALTON acknowledged the transformative potential of the Bill but highlighted concerns about overlapping mandates, institutional independence, and the need for coordinated regulatory action.
“The (NCC) should retain its statutory oversight of telecommunications networks and infrastructure, while the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) should lead on digital policy and e-governance,” Adebayo said, while noting, “Ensuring that these agencies operate within clearly defined roles will prevent duplication, enhance efficiency, and foster investor trust.”
The association warned that regulatory ambiguity between NITDA and NCC could slow implementation, disrupt service delivery, and undermine confidence in Nigeria’s digital economy.
ALTON recommended a deliberate separation of policy guidance and technical regulation, citing international best practices from the United Kingdom, India, and the European Union, where such structures have successfully balanced accountability with innovation.
The association also called for a review of Section 82 of the Bill, which grants ministerial directive powers, arguing that safeguarding regulatory independence is critical for maintaining investor confidence and ensuring transparent governance.
To further strengthen inter-agency collaboration, the association proposed the creation of a National Digital Cooperation and Interoperability Framework
The framework would formalise joint action among NITDA, NCC, the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), providing a structured platform for coordination and policy alignment.
“Embedding structured collaboration within the Bill is essential to avoid policy fragmentation and improve coordination across government institutions,” Adebayo noted.
ALTON reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Nigeria’s digital transformation while emphasising that the success of the Digital Economy and E-Governance Bill depends on establishing clear jurisdictional boundaries, ensuring institutional independence, and promoting effective regulatory cooperation.
“Our goal is a sustainable digital economy driven by innovation, accountability, and investor trust,” Adebayo added, stressing that clarity and collaboration are the pillars that will define Nigeria’s digital future.
News1 day agoPreventive, Silicon Valley Firm May Birth Genetically Engineered Babies
E-Business1 day agoNigeria to Unveil Single-Entry Emergency Passport for Citizens Abroad
E-Financial1 day agoFG Seeks Fresh $500m World Bank Loan for MSMEs
General News1 day agoCOVID-19 Vaccines may Help some Cancer Patients Fight Tumors
Telecom1 day agoGlo Announces N1m Monthly Giveaway in New Trivia Game
E-Business1 day agoNITDA Highlights Economic Impact, Digital Transformation Gains, as ICEGOV 2025 Concludes in Abuja
E-Financial1 day agoUBA Reaffirms Commitment to Empowering African Entrepreneurs
E-Financial1 day agoNDIC Now Better Positioned to Prosecute Parties at Fault for Bank Failure













