Telecom
Coronavirus: Schools can defy shut-down with Zinox’s digital revolutionary solution
Zinox Technologies Limited, Sub-Saharan Africa’s foremost technology company, has unveiled a digital learning solution designed to aid schools and other educational institutions maintain the interaction between teachers and their pupils without physical contact or the need to assemble in a classroom.
Through this digital tool, Zinox will bring together all stakeholders in the learning ecosystem on a virtual platform, thereby bridging the social distance enforced by the coronavirus threat.
Indeed, the revolutionary solution will serve as a delight to teachers, pupils and educational institutions as it will enable them carry on their curriculum in spite of the ban on schools announced by the government.
Part of the cutting-edge utilities offered by the solution is the opportunity it affords teachers and other instructors to connect with and hold virtual classes with their students.
Courses and lesson notes can also be uploaded on the platform for easy recall while assignments can also be handed out to the pupils/students and submitted by them, all on the platform.
‘‘As a forward-thinking and foremost technology company, Zinox is determined not to allow the coronavirus pandemic stall the learning of our young ones, who are indispensable elements in the future of Nigeria.
“Consequently, we have launched this virtual learning solution to bridge the gap,’’ disclosed Head of Research & Development, Zinox, Onochie Eche-Chukwuma.
‘‘Through this platform, key participants in the learning cycle – teachers, pupils, administrators and even parents – have a virtual platform to connect seamlessly without having to suffer the inconveniences of the ban placed on schools which will come into effect on Monday.
“Teachers can hold virtual classes at pre-agreed times with their pupils between the hours of 9am – 2pm.
“Thereafter, pupils can rely on the platform for additional learning resources at their own leisure in the hours between 3pm – 8pm.
“What’s more, the platform allows for two-way communication and assignments can equally be handed out and submitted by teachers and pupils/students respectively.
‘‘It is a revolutionary tool which resonates with our status as a brand focused on future visions of a greater Nigeria.
“Already, we have seen huge interest from schools and other educational institutions who have started signing up for the solution,’’ he revealed.
Indeed, the Lagos State Government is set to close down all public and private schools from Monday March 23, 2020; as part of preventive measures against the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.
The State Commissioner for Education, Mrs Folashade Adefisayo, said in a statement that; the move became necessary to prevent children and their teachers from getting more vulnerable to the pandemic. Further, the statement advised parents to ensure that their children practise ‘social distancing’ while at home; wash their hands regularly or use hand sanitizers and observe high standards of personal hygiene.
“The closure is not intended to create panic but to arrest the spread of the disease; which has become a global threat. Children should be encouraged to remain at home,” the Commissioner said in the statement made available to newsmen in Lagos.
Also, the Federal Government has directed the closure of tertiary institutions, secondary and primary schools nationwide.
Nigeria’s first internationally recognized Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), Zinox Technologies Limited, has been at the forefront of leading the ICT revolution in Nigeria.
For over 18 years, Zinox has been Nigeria’s IT identity, delivering a suite of cutting-edge but affordable technological solutions, which include high-end personal computers (PCs), laptops, power service, servers, workstations and a host of IT solutions.
Recently, the foremost tech company has diversified into the lifestyle consumer market, with the iTEC brand which has won the hearts of a growing audience with a range of lifestyle and home &kitchen appliances including TV sets, generators, electric kettles, microwaves, toasters, coffee makers and sandwich makers, among others.
Lebara Nigeria is building excitement for its upcoming Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) launch, giving customers a chance to secure a personalized piece of their mobile identity.
The company has opened a Number Reservation Portal, allowing users to reserve their preferred mobile numbers before the official service goes live in the third quarter of 2025.
This strategic move is all about giving customers a sense of ownership from day one. Using the carrier’s 0724 prefix, users can choose a number that’s meaningful to them, whether it’s a birthday, a lucky number, or an easy-to-remember pattern.
The reservation process is straightforward. Users must be at least 13 years old and provide a few basic details to get a one-time password via email.
Once verified, they’ll need to enter their National Identification Number (NIN), which the system uses to confirm personal information.
After this, a list of available numbers appears, and a final confirmation email completes the reservation.
Lebara, a London-based global MVNO, according to yozzo.com, is no stranger to the telecom world, with a strong presence as a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) across Europe and other regions.
Its entry into Nigeria is a calculated move to carve out a space in the highly competitive market.
By allowing customers to pick their numbers early, Lebara hopes to build loyalty and highlight its customer-first philosophy.
The company plans to operate a lean, technology-driven model by leveraging existing network infrastructure, which will help keep costs low and make its pricing competitive.
At launch, Lebara will offer nationwide coverage, a dedicated 0724 number series, and both SIM and eSIM options.
Beyond traditional connectivity, Lebara is also partnering with local government and the Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy to launch public Wi-Fi hubs and promote digital inclusion for creators and underserved communities.
The core of its proposition is affordability, transparent billing, and a strong customer service model designed to challenge established players.
Lebara’s entry won’t be without its challenges.
It will face off against many other competitors in Nigeria’s emerging MVNO space.
This wave of new entrants comes after the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) issued 46 MVNO licenses, with many of the licensees expected to have already launched.
Despite this, the local media’s focus has largely been on only a couple of them, Vitel and now Lebara.
Telecoms stakeholders have cautioned that many Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) in Nigeria could struggle to survive unless they address infrastructure gaps, target niche markets, and adapt to local realities.
The warning came during the sixth edition of the Telecoms Sector Sustainability Forum, organised by Business Remarks in Lagos on Tuesday.
According to the stakeholders, securing a license from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is not enough to ensure survival in a market dominated by major Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) like MTN, Airtel, and Glo.
Chidi Ajuzie, director of USK Mobile, highlighted the stark reality facing MVNOs, noting that none of the over 40 licensed operators have fully launched services.
“Licenses are not cash cows. Too many people think that once you get a license, the money will start rolling in. The truth is, you must build infrastructure, study the market, and create services that meet consumer needs. Without that, many MVNOs will die out quickly,” Ajuzie said.
Ajuzie pointed out that smaller operators, particularly those in Tier 4 and Tier 5 categories, face significant financial hurdles in building their own infrastructure to support capacity.
However, he sees this as an opportunity for innovation, urging MVNOs to target niche markets such as youth, migrant workers, or fintech services, as seen in successful models in South Africa and India.
“Half of us may launch, but only those with clear strategies will survive,” he warned, predicting mergers and consolidations in the coming years.
Tony Emoekpere, president of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), echoed Ajuzie’s concerns, stressing that market differentiation is critical for MVNO survival.
“The MNOs already provide enterprise services, internet, and fintech. MVNOs must find gaps and focus on those,” Emoekpere said.
He cited Kenya’s M-Pesa, which revolutionized payments by targeting rural and low-income users, as a model for local innovation.
Emoekpere suggested that MVNOs could capitalize on Nigeria’s underserved rural areas, where millions lack access to reliable telecom and financial services. “Something as simple as a low-data package for POS machines in rural areas could be a game-changer,” he added.
Olusola Teniola, director, IPNX, cautioned against adopting foreign business models without considering Nigeria’s unique environment. “In some villages, people still travel by canoe or horse for hours to access basic services. If your business model doesn’t account for that, it will fail,” Teniola said.
He urged MVNOs to focus on the bottom of the pyramid, where millions lack basic connectivity, rather than competing for urban smartphone users.
Teniola also warned that failure to strengthen indigenous companies could lead to more profits leaving Nigeria through foreign-owned operators, emphasizing the need for policies to protect data sovereignty and foster local innovation.
The stakeholders said while MVNOs have the potential to expand Nigeria’s telecom sector and increase consumer choice, their survival hinges on strategic planning, niche targeting, and a focus on rural connectivity.
Without urgent action to address infrastructure challenges and adapt to local needs, many MVNOs risk disappearing before they can establish a foothold in Nigeria’s competitive telecom landscape.
Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has defended the recent upward review of telecom tariffs, insisting that Nigeria’s rates remain among the cheapest in the world due to strong industry competition.
Speaking at a media briefing in Abuja recently, Dr. Aminu Maida, executive vice chairman, NCC, said that despite a 50% hike in tariffs, call rates have only moved from ₦15 per minute in the early 2000s to about ₦18–₦19 per minute today.
“Even with the increase, not all operators adjusted their tariffs. Some are still undercutting others. That is competition at work,” Maida explained.
He assured that the commission will continue to strengthen regulations to encourage competitiveness and transparency.
According to him, NCC is adopting an information disclosure strategy to enable consumers to make informed choices.
Maida also cautioned Nigerians against relying on Truecaller for identity verification, stressing that it is not linked to Nigeria’s SIM registration database and often provides misleading results.
He noted that while all SIMs in use are registered, some individuals deliberately use proxies, including domestic staff, to register SIMs an act he described as a crime.
The NCC boss disclosed that in September, the commission will launch a coverage and tariff map to help subscribers compare network quality and pricing across operators.
He further revealed plans for spectrum trades and leases to optimise usage and improve service delivery, adding that most Nigerian phones already support 4G, which remains the “sweet spot” for mobile broadband.
Maida emphasised the need for fresh capital and stronger corporate governance within the sector to sustain growth, enhance service quality, and strengthen national security.
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