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Beware of Telecom Fraudsters, Ask Questions

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Nigeria telecommunications industry is an undeniably alluring, fast-paced, multi-billion dollar industry.
Combine that with brain-numbingly complex technologies and it creates the perfect environment for scam artists.
Telecommunication fraud is the theft of telecommunication service (telephones, cell phones, computers and so on) or the use of telecommunication service to commit other forms of fraud.
Victims include consumers, businesses and communication service providers.
Separating truth from fiction in these sophisticated scams is not easy.
Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) takes consumer protection very serious and that has led to the establishment of the Consumer Affairs Bureau in September 2001, to inform, educate and protect all the consumers of telecommunications services in Nigeria.
Common Warning Signs
Cold Calls: If the first contact is an unsolicited call from a salesperson whom you do not know – be skeptical!. Don’t trust a stranger!
High Profits-Low Risk: Scam artists are clever liars. For instance, If you receive a phone call on your mobile from any person, saying that, he or she is a company engineer, or saying that they’re checking your mobile line, and you have to press # 90 or #09 or any other number. End this call immediately without pressing any numbers.
Urgency: Beware of promoters who say that it is urgent to invest now. Swindlers do not want you to have time to think things over. Some may even pressure you to promptly send your money by courier or wireless transfer. When they say "rush," you say "whoa!"
Examples of Scams
Fraud Alert from Zain Nigeria
Zain Nigeria on its website drew the attention of subscribers and members of the general public to the prevalence of fraudulent activity being perpetuated by fraudsters who aim to deceive and defraud our subscribers and the general public.
According to Zain these fraudsters design purported promotions hinged on promises of subscribers or members of the general public winning cash, free airtime or other prizes or gifts, employment or job recruitment or other fantastic or incredulous schemes. Their fraudulent activity seems to be mainly with the objective of obtaining money by tricks or false pretences from subscribers or innocent members of the general public.
From MTN
Subscribers receive text messages purportedly from MTN where they are informed of winnings and asked to contact a number to claim their prizes
The same scheme is general to almost all the service providers where the vehicles for such fraudulent activity include unsolicited text messages, electronic mail or other correspondence to subscribers or the general public. These messages would usually emanate from bogus websites, email addresses and phone numbers used by these fraudsters for their nefarious and fraudulent activity and it is not unusual that such communication would utilize forged paraphernalia as logos, names of operators’ officials and official language in a bid to exude some authenticity (some illustrations of the fraudulent activity flowing from providers’ experiences are provided at the end of this message).
The paraphernalia including mail and contact addresses and phone numbers contained in such unsolicited emails and posted on such web-sites or published in any manner whatsoever are bogus, forged and not related to service providers.
Operators’ consumer education has repeatedly warned against such schemes.
From Etisalat
Etisalat Nigeria on its website draws attention of its esteem subscribers that fraudulent text messages carrying details of false promotions are being sent to them by parties posing as representatives of etisalat.
“Please note that etisalat does not execute promotions and campaigns via third-parties or individual members of our staff. Also, winners from our various promotions are either published on our website, at our Experience Centres.”
If you receive any messages asking you to give up money/goods or claim prizes, kindly clarify this via our corporate website or by calling Customer Care on 200. If still in doubt, kindly visit any of our shops or business offices. Please remember to visit www.etisalat.com.ng as regularly as possible to get all the latest updates on etisalat and all our exciting promos.
Avoiding Fraud
Take advantage of Consumer Affairs Bureau so no one takes advantage of you.
This is because the Consumers Affairs Bureau serve as the industry’s watchdog charged with educating, informing and protecting consumers in a professional and courteous manner.
Be Skeptical: The best protection against being scammed is skepticism. Investigate thoroughly any SMS or phone call that say you have won a prize you did not enter, if duped, you are unlikely to recover any of it.
Ask yourself whether their answers are reasonable. 
Do not respond to such unsolicited offers from people you are unfamiliar with.
Do not disclose your personal/financial details to anyone you do not know.

Get Help
Consumer Affairs Department
[email protected]
Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC)
Plot 423, Aguiyi Ironsi Street
Maitama,
Abuja,
Tel:   234-9-4617000
Fax:  234-9-4617514

Zain Nigeria has a Fraud management Unit which investigates all reported cases of fraudulent or attempted fraudulent activity. The Fraud management Unit can be reached on the fraud hotline- 070800fraud (07080037283) or email [email protected].

MTN Nigeria, contact the following for confirmation –
MTN Nigeria Corporate Office,
Golden Plaza,
7th Floor, Falomo, Ikoyi Lagos.
Email: [email protected] Tel. +234 (0)8032005500

Visafone
 4th Floor, Zenon House 
2, Ajose Adeogun Street, Victoria Island
Lagos, Nigeria
 333 (Within Visafone Network)
07025 000 000 (Outside of Visafone Network)

Multi-Links/Telkom
231, Adeola Odeku Street,
Victoria Island, Lagos.
Tel: 01-7740000
Email; [email protected]

ZoomMobile
8, Adeola Odeku Street,
Victoria Island, Lagos.
Tel: 234-1-4801111
Email: [email protected]

Starcomms
42, Adetokubo Ademola Street,
Victoria Island.
Tel: 8041234, 0702800123
Email: [email protected]

Etisalat Nigeria
Everest Place
Plot 19 Zone L, Federal Government Layout
Banana Island, Ikoyi
Tel: 200 from etisalat line
0809-0000200 from any Mobile or Fixed Line
Email; [email protected]

 


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Telecom

NCC Expands IPv6 Board with the Appointment of Olusola Teniola, Funke Opeke Others

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Olusola Teniola, ipNX Director has been named to the newly inaugurated IPv6 Council Board by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), as part of a broader industry effort to accelerate Nigeria’s transition to Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6).

The inauguration, which took place in Ikeja, Lagos, underscores the Commission’s renewed commitment to accelerating Nigeria’s transition to Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6), a critical enabler of the country’s digital future.

Mr. Teniola joins a distinguished group of industry leaders, including Funke Opeke, Muhammed Rudman (Chairman), Chris Uwaje (Vice Chairman), Mary Uduma, Gbenga Adebayo, Lanre Ajayi, and Latif Ladid, alongside representatives from key regulatory and government institutions.

Speaking on his appointment, Teniola expressed appreciation to the NCC for the opportunity to serve and reiterated the importance of collaborative action in driving Nigeria’s digital transformation.

“The transition to IPv6 is no longer a future consideration; it is an immediate priority for Nigeria’s digital economy. As data consumption grows and emerging technologies such as 5G, IoT, and AI become more pervasive, we must ensure that our underlying infrastructure is scalable, secure, and globally competitive,” he said.

He further emphasized that achieving meaningful IPv6 adoption will require strong alignment across stakeholders, including telecom operators, internet service providers, enterprises, academia, and government.

“This is a collective responsibility. We must invest in capacity building, drive awareness, and create the right policy and regulatory environment to accelerate adoption. Nigeria cannot afford to lag behind in an increasingly connected world.”

The IPv6 Council Board has been tasked with developing and overseeing the implementation of a national IPv6 strategy, monitoring progress, and providing periodic updates on adoption levels across the country. The Council will also play a key role in addressing infrastructure challenges, strengthening technical expertise, and recommending policy incentives to support nationwide deployment.

Teniola’s appointment reflects ipNX’s continued commitment to shaping Nigeria’s digital ecosystem and advancing the development of resilient, future-ready network infrastructure across the country.


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QNET, Manchester City Host Football Clinic for Young Talents in Ghana

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In a transformative initiative focused on youth empowerment, talent development and community impact, QNET, an international wellness and lifestyle company and a decade-long Official Direct Selling Partner of Manchester City , has successfully hosted an elite football clinic in Accra for 25 promising young Ghanaian footballers aged 7 to 11.

QNET, Manchester City Host Football Clinic for Young Talents in Ghana

QNET

Delivered by official Manchester City coaches from 21 to 24 May 2026, the football clinic brought together talented young boys and girls from different communities across Ghana at AIS School Park, East Legon, for a unique opportunity to receive world-class football coaching, mentorship and life-skills training inspired by one of the world’s leading football clubs.

For many of the participants, the experience represented more than football. It was an opportunity to dream bigger, build confidence and believe that through hard work, discipline and determination, young Ghanaians can achieve their full potential both on and off the pitch.

Football holds a special place in Ghanaian culture and identity, inspiring generations of young people across the country. Through this initiative, QNET and Manchester City Football Club aimed to contribute meaningfully to the future of youth development in Ghana by creating an inclusive platform where children can learn, grow and thrive regardless of their background.

Trevor Kuna, Chief of Network Development at QNET said, “Football does something that few things can — it cuts across language, background and circumstance and gives young people a common language of ambition. When you watch these children on the pitch, you see not just their talent but their hunger to grow, to prove themselves, to be seen. At QNET, we believe that hunger deserves to be met with opportunity, and that is exactly what this clinic is about.”

The clinic focused not only on football skills and tactical development, but also on teamwork, leadership, discipline, perseverance and self-belief, values that are essential both in sport and in life.

Cherif Abdoulaye, QNET’s Deputy Regional General Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa, said,“,“When QNET took this initiative to Nigeria in 2023, we saw first-hand what happens when young people are given access to world-class coaching in their own communities — it shifts something in how they see themselves and what they believe is possible. Bringing it to Ghana felt like the natural next step. Ghana has a football culture that runs deep, and a new generation ready to carry it forward. We are proud that QNET and Manchester City can be part of that story.”

Philipa Harrison, Partnerships Marketing Manager for City Football Group’s MENA region, said “Over the past few days, we have witnessed tremendous passion, energy and commitment from these young players. This football clinic is about helping young people develop their abilities, enjoy the game and believe in what they can achieve in the future. We are proud to partner with QNET to bring this experience to young players in Ghana.”

For more than 10 years, QNET has been the Official Direct Selling Partner of Manchester City Football Club. QNET has also maintained a longstanding partnership with the Confederation of African Football (CAF), supporting major African interclub competitions including the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup.

These partnerships reflect QNET’s broader commitment to youth empowerment, community engagement, and the development of sports across Africa.

Beyond its sports and community initiatives, QNET continues to champion ethical business practices, transparency and public education across its markets while working closely with stakeholders and authorities to address the misuse of its brand by unauthorised individuals.


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Telcos Mull Calculator to Address Data Depletion Complaints

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Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) may introduce  data calculator to enable users to measure their data usage and address complaints of rapid data depletion.

Telcos Mull Calculator to Address Data Depletion Complaints

Data depletion is the rapid exhaustion of your internet data bundle before its expected expiration.

The data calculator is a tool that will show subscribers how their data is used daily.

Telecom operators, largely the MNOs, are already providing subscribers a daily report of data used the previous day, as part of directives from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to drive transparency.

According to a report by Nairametrics, an industry source confirmed the new measure, noting that subscriber complaints over data depletion have now become a major concern in the industry, as it undermines trust.

“An average subscriber believes their service provider steals their data once their data is exhausted before time or depletes faster than they expected, which is not true.

“Over the years, we have tried to enlighten subscribers on factors that could lead to the fast depletion of their data, which include smartphone functionality, among others.

“And now, we are looking at tools that could show the subscribers not just what they have used, but also how they have used it to further promote transparency,” the source said.

According to the source, operators are also intensifying their sensitisation campaigns to help subscribers understand why their data can run out quickly.

Recall that NCC carried out an audit about 24 months ago across the mobile networks and found out that there was “no major” issue of data depletion, contrary to claims and complaints by subscribers.

Findings showed that the major issue still concerns the types of mobile phones and the activities users perform on them.


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