Telecom
Communications Technology Industry Development: Issues Of The Moment
Two reasons informed this contribution to on-going industry development initiatives: One is that there has been a wait-and-see attitude by industry players in the communication technology industry and this may be a convenient time that specific issues be discussed or specific questions be asked.
Two: Two documents are in public domain regarding the roadmap that the industry may travel under the current dispensation.
The two documents are
(1) Communiqué of the 2016 Communications Sector Retreat in Ibadan, and
(2) The EVC’s 8-point Agenda for Telecommunication 2016 – 2020.
This input is a further contribution to those two very good and trending documents. The EVC’s agenda is particularly very promising and commendable.
I invite attention to three earlier and important documents which specifically address strategic industry development, namely:
· The National ICT Policy (2013).
· The National Broadband Plan (2013 – 2018).
· Guidelines for Nigerian Content Development in ICT/ (an Entrepreneurship Blueprint) (2013).
These three documents, in the absence of any critique (of them) which may suggest either a deviation or additional strengthening should be viable documents to implement in full measure to assure steady development. Indeed the earlier two documents recognise them and mention the importance of their full implementation.
I observe, for example, that the ICT Policy already assumes a Converged Regulator for the Communication Technology Industry while the Broadband Roadmap prescribes various inter relational tasks and functions which diverse sectors of the economy must perform for Nigeria to attain the 2018 target of a five-fold increase in broadband penetration over the 2013 status.
It is important to suggest that the implementation of these functions be pushed.
Beyond all the five documents mentioned above, two critical issues which require refreshed emphasis is the future of the industry regarding REGULATION and SUBSIDY.
REGULATION
The manner of regulation in a broadband environment will be the major challenge of the industry and it is important that we prescribe fundamental requirements of the Converged Regulator to assure optimum performance of the industry. These include:
· The existence of the Governing Board (of Commissioners) AT ALL TIMES
· The Quality and Qualifications of the Commissioners
· Smart Frequency Planning on the part of the Converged Regulator and its comprehension on the part of the Governing Board of Commissioners
Apart from foreseeable challenges which make the above concerns important, even the National Communications Act 2003 is very specific on the issues especially in paragraphs 5(3) and 7(1).
5(3) prescribes that a Board of Commissioners shall exist AT ALL TIMES while
7(1) prescribes the qualifications of the Commissioners.
As we speak, the Governing Board does not exist and I suggest we advise the Hon Minister to clamour that the President constitutes one soonest so investors can continue to respect our Regulation.
Emphasis on the qualification of ‘The Commissioner’ is critical. This should place precedent on his/her professional skills (in his/her profession and also in relation to communication technology issues) above the constitutional requirement of national spread and an understandable political patronage.
SUBSIDY
It is commendable that the industry enjoys the benefit of a Universal Service Provision Fund, USPF. More gratifying is the observation that the FUND’s Secretariat has modified it working focus to see ‘unserved’ and ‘under-served’ communities from the perspective of BROADBAND INTERNET PRESENCE.
The FUND also requires its Board of Directors that is made up of members who have SUFFICIENT EXPERTISE AND EXPERIENCE to guide the mandate of the FUND.
FINAL QUESTION
Is the ICT Policy of 2013 an approved Document?
If No, we may want to address the issues preventing its approval.
If Yes, we should address taking a bill to the National Assembly for a revised National Communications Act as the Policy has already made the existing Act obsolete.
With the introduction of Travel Saga, a premium, fast-paced gaming experience that is currently live and accessible to customers on its network, Globacom has lifted the bar for mobile entertainment in the country.
Travel Saga is a story-driven, intricately connected role-playing game designed to provide the thrill, complexity, and competitive intensity of some of the most well-known action games in the world.
The game, which has been painstakingly optimized for mobile devices, redefines mobile gaming as a full-fledged digital battlefield by translating a console-grade experience onto data-enabled handsets.
Fundamentally, Travel Saga takes users on quick virtual journeys against recognizable international landscapes. In a dynamic, ever-evolving gaming environment, players are thrown into furious missions, fierce fights, and ever-expanding tales where talent, strategy, and endurance determine who rises through the ranks to become a true war hero.
In addition to the excitement of fighting, users are encouraged to go to various locations, take part in thrilling challenges, and participate in intense competition for in-app rewards like points and victory badges. With each encounter and accomplishment, the immersion increases with each level, maintaining momentum and excitement.
Flexible subscription plans with one-time or auto-renewal choices are available to subscribers for the service, which costs ₦100 per day and ₦250 per week. By dialing *70021#, customers can quickly subscribe and gain instant access to the action.
With Travel Saga, Glo reaffirms its dedication to innovation and high-end digital experiences, making top-notch gaming easily accessible to its customers. The game offers uninterrupted action, adventure, and competition, all smoothly supported by the Glo network.
SHELT, a leading cybersecurity-as-a-service provider, has earned inclusion in the 2025 MSSP 250, the annual ranking of the world’s top 250 Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs) by MSSP Alert, a CyberRisk Alliance publication.
SHELT
The list evaluates firms on business performance, service breadth, and industry impact, spotlighting those excelling in growth, operational excellence, and advanced managed security amid rising cyber threats. Selection criteria include annual recurring revenue, profitability, workforce expansion, business growth, and the depth of managed security offerings.
SHELT’s recognition underscores its investments in scalable security operations, threat intelligence, and tailored managed services across multiple regions, enabling clients to navigate complex risk landscapes effectively.
“Being recognised in the MSSP 250 is a meaningful milestone for our team,” stated Youssef Abillama, CEO of SHELT. “It validates our focus on building practical, resilient security services that help organisations manage risk and respond effectively to today’s evolving cyber threats.”
The company hailed the honour as testament to its teams’ dedication and expertise worldwide, reaffirming commitment to enhancing capabilities and delivering trusted cybersecurity solutions.
Meta Platforms, owner of Facebook, has appointed Dina Powell McCormick, a former adviser to President Donald Trump, as its new president and vice chairman, bolstering its leadership amid aggressive AI and infrastructure expansion.
Dina Powell McCormick
The announcement, made on Monday, positions Powell McCormick – who recently stepped down from Meta’s board after eight months – to guide overall strategy, including multi-billion-dollar investments in data centres and global partnerships.
A Goldman Sachs veteran with 16 years in senior roles and prior stints as deputy national security adviser under Trump and in the Bush administration, she brings deep finance and international ties to the role.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg hailed her as “uniquely qualified” for the company’s next growth phase, while President Trump praised the move on Truth Social as a “fantastic choice”.
The hire signals Meta’s efforts to strengthen White House relations, following recent dinners with Trump and U.S. investment pledges worth hundreds of billions
Glo Unveils Immersive Gaming Experience, Travel Saga
Half of Global Companies Build SOCs to Enhance Cybersecurity, with a Focus on Human Expertise
Moniepoint Launches Second Cohort of DreamDevs Initiative to Double Down on Africa’s Tech Talent Pipeline
NITDA DG Reaffirms Nigeria–U.S. Partnership on Data Privacy, AI and Cybersecurity
Falana Wins $25,000 Damages from Meta Over Fake Illness Video
Banks quietly move to enforce new ₦50 transfer levy from Jan. 1
FIRS says NIN, CAC Numbers to Serve as Tax IDs from 2026
Nigeria Takes the Lead in the Global WSIS+20 Digital Agenda
Nigeria Police Arrest Okitipi, Nigerian Allegedly Linked to Microsoft 365 Hack
PalmPay Launches N400 Million World Travel Carnival, Rewarding Users with Free Global Trips
E-Financial2 days agoWema Bank Upgrades ALAT Banking App
General News2 days agoFirm Launches AI-powered Platform to Simplify New Tax Laws
Telecom2 days agoX Suspends Twitter Account for Rules Violation
E-Business2 days agoStudy Reveals 88.5% of Phishing Attacks Focus on Stealing Account Credentials
News2 days agoNigeria, Others Lag Behind as Egypt Tops Africa in AI Readiness
General News1 day agoPalmPay, Premier Cool to Reward 10,000 Nigerians with ₦100m in “10k for 10k Campaign”
E-Business1 day agoKaspersky Warns Telecom Threats from 2025 will Carry into 2026 as New Technology Adds New Risk
General News2 days agoWhy Nigeria’s New Tax Regime Will Fail Without Public Trust