General News
Bulk SMS is Unexploited Gold-Mine -Akintayo

Stephen Akintayo, chief executive officer of Gileadbalm Group, is an inspirational speaker, youth leader, entrepreneur, a digital marketing consultant with account of 10 of multi-nationals in Nigeria.
His company’s product and services span from Information Technology, Telecom, Marketing Consulting, Real Estate, Oil and Gas and Agriculture.
Akintayo also has a Vision of helping in the establishment and growth of 20,000 businesses by the year 2025 with his CEOProtege project.
In this interview with peter ugwu, he listed Bulk Short Message System as a platform yet to be fully exploited in the Nigerian telecom sector.
Gileadbalm’s Areas of Interest
We are focusing majorly on online and Mobile Services because it is not just viable but even develop countries see it as the future.
It is through online that you can start a company and in 6 years you are a Billionaire given facebook as a case study.
Africa is not there yet but soon we will be and that is why a smart entrepreneur will take position now.
Why?
It is easier to build online business than off line business and its cost effective. In the 70’s and 80’s when US economy had several challenges, online related was businesses were such that people like Bill Gate, Micheal Dell, Steve Jobs and other tech giants delved into’ surprisingly, that helped increase the GDP of the United States.
In a country like ours, where unemployment is over 40%, we need people who will build software instead of CV, business plans instead of profiles. I want to influence the establishment and strengthening of 20,000 businesses between now and 2025.
Technpreneurs Motivating Factors
To succeed as a Techprenenur, be ready to celebrate your small beginning. Life is in phases, Men are in sizes, live your size per time.
Like I often say that Techpreneurs are not big boys rather those who have monthly salary that are big boys because ego sells, “eno” sells, salary must be paid.
But as an entrepreneur, you must work hard else your business will not stand five years talk more of 50 years. In simple words, be patient, consistent and determine never to quit.
Potentials of Bulk SMS Sector
Bulk Short Message System (SMS) is an area Gileadbalm has been doing very great. Some people have asked why should a company, for instance, use that medium to reach out to its customers hence there are many channels available today.
Yes, text messaging is over 5billion naira industry that is far more valuable for small entrepreneurs than any other aspect of Telecom industry.
With just N35,000 you can start a bulk SMS business and if you are a skillful marketer you can grow that to multi-million business in less than three years.
It is a gold mine smart individuals should start their techpreneur from bulk SMS but don’t stay there. Any business that brings money on a daily bases is a business you cannot under-estimate.
Bulk SMS and Technological Know-How
Bulk SMS is not that technical. I studied microbiology and earn from online today. The challenge is that some get reseller website with a wrong company that uses Indian gateways that don’t deliver text message sent on their platform on time.
Under 30 seconds when you send message on our platform, it delivers hence we are indispensable. We are not cheap but reliable and the best. That is our goal and that should be the goal of anyone going into this industry.
Adoption Rate
The adoption rate is high. The same way every aspect of digital marketing is being embarrassed, is how bulk SMS thrives, because conventional Media is no longer at the reach of some companies, particularly those looking for measurable and effective platform for marketing. 98% of bulk SMS is open.
That is a massive rate. What is the issue however is getting accurate data to send advert SMS to and that is why we deal with sales of targeted GSM and email data.
Regulation
Some have suggested that bulk SMS should be regulated as NCC regulates the telecom SMS, but I think otherwise.
At least not really, because it is a saturated market and price is not the issue. Bulk SMS is lesser than N4 which is the normal price for sending through your telecom provider.
Still Bulk SMS can be customized, you can send to hundreds of thousands of people at the same time. Regulation should come in the form of enforcing quality service, checkmating fraudsters who use bulk SMS for scam purposes as well as other social devices.
Difference between Bulk SMS & eMail
First of all, note that not all the SMS you receive from MTN or GLO or Airtel is directly from them. We call some short code business, where you partner with the provider to provide services like quotes, sport scores and updates, health tips and people subscribe with N30 or N50.
That is another business under messaging. Targeted Bulk SMS is to send messages to your existing clients or potential clients to buy your products and services. We offer both services.
Increasing Unsolicited eMails and Privacy
There are two types. There are the fraudulent ones from people claiming to be your bank or that you have containers or won a gift etc.
The second type is now the legal ones and its rented email campaign whereby you send email to email ID that you bought from those whom the owner of such ID subscribe. For example, I can start a campaign online as I give certain services and ask people to subscribe and I may choose to sell those emails to a client so that he or she sends campaign of his or her services to such individuals. However, you can always unsubscribe from such mail.
eMail marketing is new to Nigeria but it is proving to be a very effective form of marketing since the advent of smartphone, where people now, instantly, get alert.
The best form however is to build your own list which we help companies build and we train cooperate bodies on this.
The bottom-line is that marketing techniques have change from online and conventional media to digital media and everyone must come on board or be left behind.
General News
Lawmakers Ask CBN to Suspend Payment to ZTE for Failed $460m CCTV Project

House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee investigating the $460 million Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) surveillance project in the Federal Capital Territory has directed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to suspend further disbursements to ZTE Corporation pending clarification on the execution of the contract.

The resolution was reached on Tuesday following lawmakers’ concerns over inconsistencies, vague responses, and lack of transparency from ZTE officials regarding the project’s scope, deployment locations, and current operational status.
The committee also mandated the company to reappear with comprehensive and verifiable documentation, including a full inventory of all equipment supplied and installed, precise locations of infrastructure nationwide, and details of 456 Nigerians reportedly trained to operate and maintain the system.
The decision followed a motion moved by Ali Shettima representing Bursari/Geidam/Yunusari Federal Constituency and seconded by Kolawale Akinlayo during an investigative hearing at the National Assembly.
Donald Ojogo, chairman of the committee, said the exercise was not a witch-hunt but a fact-finding mission aimed at addressing public concerns over the project.
This is a constructive engagement, not an attempt to witch-hunt anyone. Nigerians deserve clear answers, and we expect ZTE to respond in line with the documents before us,” he stated.
Irene Momoh, representing the company, said ZTE supplied and installed CCTV infrastructure in Abuja and Lagos, noting that the project was completed between 2011 and 2012.
However, under questioning, he admitted uncertainty about the current functionality of the system.
“To the best of our knowledge, the equipment was delivered and installed within the project timeline, but I cannot confirm its present operational status,” Momoh said.
The response sparked strong reactions from lawmakers, who questioned how a project of such magnitude could lack a sustainable maintenance and continuity framework.
Momoh explained that ZTE had an initial three-month maintenance agreement, which it voluntarily extended to six months before handing over the system. He attributed the project’s decline to the government’s inability to sustain funding post-handover.
“There was no continued funding from the government to maintain and run the system after handover,” he added.
Despite this explanation, lawmakers challenged several of the company’s claims, particularly on the geographical spread of the installations.
General News
Guinness Nigeria Surpasses ₦1Trillion Market Capitalisation, Signalling Strong Investor Confidence and Sustained Value Creation

Guinness Nigeria PLC has achieved a landmark milestone, surpassing the ₦1 trillion mark in market capitalisation on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), underscoring strong investor confidence and a sustained track record of value creation.

As of April 10, 2026, the company’s market capitalisation stood at approximately ₦1.01 trillion, with an enterprise value of ₦1.05 trillion. This milestone reflects a significant re-rating of the business by the market, driven by improved fundamentals and a renewed growth trajectory.
This achievement caps a remarkable 18-month period during which the company has delivered substantial improvements in shareholder value. As of April 12, 2026, Guinness Nigeria’s share price closed at ₦462.90, reflecting strong upward momentum and sustained investor confidence in the company’s strategic direction and performance outlook.
The company’s latest audited financial results for the 18-month period, ended 31 December 2025, further underscore this transformation. Guinness Nigeria delivered revenue of ₦730.80 billion, while gross profit rose by 152% to ₦230.48 billion, demonstrating strong margin expansion and improved operational efficiency.
In a significant turnaround, the company recorded a net profit after tax of ₦41.16 billion, recovering from a loss position in the prior period. This return to profitability highlights the success of ongoing transformation efforts and reinforces the company’s commitment to delivering sustainable, long-term value for shareholders.
The reporting period reflects a pivotal phase in the company’s evolution, including its transition to a new financial year-end of 31 December and its first full audited reporting cycle under its current ownership structure, laying a stronger foundation for future growth.
Commenting on the milestone, Prof. Fabian Ajogwu, SAN, Chairman of the Board said: “This is a defining moment for Guinness Nigeria and a strong validation of the strategic direction we are pursuing. Crossing the ₦1 trillion market capitalisation threshold reflects the resilience of our business, the strength of our brands, and the renewed confidence of the investment community in our long-term prospects. We remain committed to disciplined governance, sustainable growth, and long-term value creation for all stakeholders.”
Over the period, the company has driven performance through revenue growth, portfolio optimisation, cost discipline, and expanded route-to-market capabilities. These efforts have been complemented by a sharpened focus on innovation, premiumisation, and consumer-centric strategies, reinforcing its leadership in Nigeria’s beverage alcohol sector.
Guinness Nigeria has also continued to strengthen its balance sheet, embed sustainability into its operations, and uphold strong corporate governance standards, while maintaining its commitment to responsible consumption and positive community impact.
Looking ahead, the company remains focused on accelerating growth through consumer obsession, portfolio expansion, and continued innovation, while maintaining a disciplined approach to capital allocation and shareholder returns.
General News
Nigeria’s Digital Boom Takes Centre Stage as IoT West Africa Returns to Lagos

Nigeria is in the middle of one of the fastest digital infrastructure expansions on the continent. Microsoft, Google, and AWS are committing to African cloud regions. MTN and Airtel are at the forefront of advancing telecom infrastructure.

The Rural Electrification Agency is rewiring the country’s power base. And enterprise AI adoption is accelerating across banking, logistics, and public services.
On 28–30 April 2026, that ecosystem converges at Landmark Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, as IoT West Africa, Power & Water Nigeria, and Data Centre & Cloud Expo Africa co-locate for their fifth edition.
IoT West Africa holds its place as the longest-running IoT and digital infrastructure event on the continent, and the platform that has tracked, shaped, and accelerated West Africa’s technology story from its earliest chapters.
The three-day platform spans AI, cloud, telecoms, IoT, smart infrastructure, fintech, renewable energy, hyperscale data centres, and power generation. Critical infrastructure sits at the heart of this year’s agenda: from the security and resilience of national power grids, to the fibre networks, subsea cables, and edge computing nodes that underpin Nigeria’s digital economy. This is the event where that conversation happens at the highest level.
It is the only event in West Africa where a hyperscale operator, a rural electrification agency, a 5G network operator, and a sovereign AI policymaker share the same stage, and the same room.
The event announces a strategic partnership with Africa Data Centres Association (ADCA), bringing the continent’s foremost data centre industry body into the programme to shape conversations around investment, connectivity, and cross-border infrastructure development.
Confirmed speakers include Dr. Abba Aliyu, MD/CEO of the Rural Electrification Agency; Dr. Emomotimi John Agama, Director-General of Securities and Exchange Commission Nigeria; and Christopher Ezeafulukwe, MD/CEO of Transcorp Energy; Wole Abu, MD, Equinix; Ina Alogwu, Chief Digital & Information Officer, T2 Mobile; alongside dozens of global industry leaders.
The platform brings together 5,000+ decision-makers including CIOs, CTOs, investors, regulators, and hyperscale operators, with exhibitors including Itel Energy, Vertiv, and Jubaili Bros. An exclusive VIP lounge, a startup pitch session, and a live podcast series complete the programme.
Register: Power & Water Nigeria — pnwnigeria.com/visitor-registration
IoT West Africa — iotwestafrica.com/visitor-registration
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