Telecom
Danbatta, Others Extol Benefits of Data in Development of Digital Economy
Professor Umar Garba Danbatta, Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Office (EVC/CEO) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has said that real value can only be driven from data when it is gathered completely and accurately, connected to other relevant data, and done in a timely manner.
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He stated this while delivering a keynote address at the 2021 edition of the Nigeria ICT Impact CEO Forum held on Friday, at Oriental Hotel, Lagos.
The event themed: “Data the New Oil of the Digital Economy” had ICT policymakers and policy enablers in attendance.
The EVC noted that data when properly refined could quickly become a decision-making tool – information – that allows companies to react to market forces and be proactive and intentional in their decision-making.
He further expressed delight in the significant contributions of telecommunications sector in the development of the Nigerian economy.
According to him, “It is gratifying that in the last few years, the telecommunications sector has consistently driven the digital economy agenda of the government, as it provided the necessary impetus for the support of the Nigerian economy in the digital space.
“It is pertinent to add that the information and communication sector recorded a growth of 6.31% in Q1 2021, which was largely driven by the growth in the telecommunications sub-sector (+7.69%).
“This growth trend has rekindled the hope that economic diversification can be realised in Nigeria.
“Also one of the most dynamic developments related to the digital economy has been the rise of social network platforms which have set the stage for unprecedented social 2 interactions, dialogue, exchange and collaboration.
“These platforms have opened up multiple avenues for entrepreneurship, business connectivity and engineered several activities that support ease of doing business in Nigeria”.
Danbatta further stated that the Commission is currently working on a regulatory instrument to manage data collection and utilisation in the Nigerian communications sector.
The process, according to him, is going through the Commission’s collaborative rule making approach and will provide all stakeholders with ample opportunities to participate.
Engr Ikechukwu Nnamani, CEO – Medallion Communications Limited and President of Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), speaking on the Topic titled: “Building Blocks to a Data Based Digital Economy” said that digital economy is the network of economic activities, commercial transactions and professional interactions that are enabled by information and communications technologies.
He noted that the benefits of digital economy span across, Job creation, Rise in E-commerce, Expansion in business opportunities, Transparency, Improvement in public services, Digital delivery of goods and services and others.
He equally said that Nigeria is still far from generating the volume of data that will make data the new oil for Nigeria, noting that there is still need for more local content data generation in Nigeria for its Data to move from people and business based to machine based if we are to generate adequate data to make data Nigeria’s new oil.
According to him, “Nigeria is missing in key cloud services platform location.
“Hyperscale datacenters must be located within Nigeria to make the key cloud service platform to be located within the country.
“Edge datacenters are needed for effective storage and distribution of content across the country to ensure efficient service delivery.”
Earlier, Tayo Adewusi, editor-in-Chief of ICT Watch magazine, the organizers of the event, said that Data in the 21st Century is like Oil in the 18th Century: an immensely, untapped valuable asset.
He noted that Data is the key to smooth and efficient running of everyday life, including in both public and private sectors.
“Like oil, for those who see Data’s fundamental value and learn to extract and use it there will be huge rewards.
“We are in a digital economy where data is more valuable than ever. It’s the key to the smooth functionality of everything from the government to local companies. Without it, progress would halt”.
Oluwarotimi Arakunrin Akeredolu, SAN, Governor of Ondo State, speaking at the event via virtual platform, emphasized the importance of Data to all stakeholders in Nigeria’s economy, noting that it’s the lifeblood of any digital economy.
He said, “The importance of data cannot be overemphasised in the economy of nations because data is the lifeblood of digital economy.
“We are in digital economy where data is more valuable than ever.
“Hence, it is not surprising that data has of late been referred to as ‘the new oil’. Data is an essential resource that powers the present digital economy”.
Mr Kashifu Inuwa, the Director-General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) speaking on the topic: Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) and the Future of Data Governace, said the world has gradually evolved into a digital platform in which everything we do appears to be linked to technology in some way.
He noted that the digitalization phenomenon has now elevated digital platforms to become drivers of the economy rather than enablers.
The DG added that digital economy is highly dependent on the availability of data and the requisite skills to process such data to extract maximum economic and social value.
Abiodun Omoniyi, CEO, VDT Communications Limited, who spoke on the theme: ‘Why Data will be the New Oil in the Digital Economy’, said that data is now world’s most valuable resource.
He stated that it will not be right to say that data will be the new oil, but that it is already the new oil.
On the contributions of Telecom industry in the Nigerian economy, Omoniyi said, “Telecom is already the new oil especially in Nigeria with the highly dwindling oil fortunes.
“The fact that telecoms globally and in Nigeria are largely driven by the private sector gives it tremendous room for growth.
“However, governments around the world and including Nigeria need to create growth-oriented policies and provide enabling environments for the full potentials of data to be harnessed.
“Data has enormous potentials to displace oil in leading the global economic growth now and the foreseeable future”.
MTN Nigeria, in collaboration with ONErpm and Ultima Studios, has announced Ayodeji Benson, popularly known as Ayo Benzi, as the winner of the maiden edition of the Next Afrobeats Star reality show.
L-R: Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, Chief Marketing Officer, MTN Nigeria; Ayodeji Benson, Winner, Next Afrobeats Star Reality Show (Season 1) and Emamoke Ogoro, General Manager, Brand and Communication, MTN Nigeria, at the grand finale of the Next Afrobeats Star Reality Show (Season 1), held at the Ultima Studios, Lekki, Lagos on Saturday, December 13, 2025.
The grand finale, held on Sunday night at Ultima Studios in Lekki, Lagos, marked the climax of a nationwide talent search that began in September with over 15,000 aspiring musicians.
After weeks of auditions, mentorship, and rigorous training, five finalists – Ayo Benzi, Dave Cash, Kaeko, Somto O’Laker, and Lucky Yay – battled for the top prize in a high-energy showcase of performance and artistry.
At the end of the electrifying contest, Ayo Benzi emerged victorious, securing a ₦150 million music deal. Dave Cash was named first runner-up with ₦100 million, while Kaeko, Somto O’Laker, and Lucky Yay received ₦75 million, ₦50 million, and ₦25 million respectively.
Throughout the season, contestants were mentored by leading Afrobeats producers Sarz, Puffy Tee, P Prime, and Andre Vibez. Benzi, who was part of Puffy Tee’s team, credited the mentorship programme for sharpening his craft and stage presence.
Speaking at the event, Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, Chief Marketing Officer of MTN Nigeria, said the initiative reflects the company’s commitment to youth empowerment and cultural expression.
“The Next Afrobeats Star platform is about creating real opportunities for young Nigerians and giving their talent the structure, visibility, and support it deserves.
“Afrobeats continues to place Nigeria on the global cultural map, and MTN is proud to be enabling the next generation of artists who will take this sound even further,” she said.
She added that the finale was not just a competition but a celebration of growth and readiness for the global stage.
In his acceptance speech, Ayo Benzi described the victory as a defining moment in his career.
“A big thank you to MTN. From the audition days, the treatment MTN has given us has been amazing. God bless the brand,” he said.
The finale also featured guest performances by Afrobeats stars Iyanya and Bella Shmurda, adding glamour to the night and reinforcing the show’s connection to the wider music ecosystem.
With the successful conclusion of the season, MTN Nigeria and its partners reaffirmed their role in championing youth ambition, supporting creative industries, and shaping the future of Nigerian music through platforms that turn potential into opportunity.
T2, formerly known as 9mobile, is under investigation by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in Benue State for an undisclosed incident disrupting USSD, SMS, voice, and data services across nine local government areas.
T2
The affected areas include Ado, Agatu, Gwer East, Gwer West, Konshisha, Obi, Ohimini, Okpokwu, and Otukpo, as detailed in an advisory on the NCC Major Outages Portal, which tracks significant disruptions reported by Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and Internet Service Providers (ISPs).
Neither T2 nor its public relations firm, Chain Reactions, has responded to inquiries on the outage’s cause or restoration efforts as of this report.
The NCC’s continued reference to the operator as 9mobile, months after its public rebranding to T2 in August 2025, has sparked questions about whether the name change was formally notified to the regulator.
This probe aligns with NCC mandates requiring operators to disclose major outages, their impacts, and timelines for fixes, with compensation obligatory for disruptions exceeding 24 hours under the Consumer Code of Practice Regulations.
Industry watchers note that such incidents, often linked to fibre cuts, power failures, or infrastructure faults, underscore ongoing challenges in Nigeria’s telecoms sector, particularly amid T2’s subscriber losses post-rebrand. NCC vows transparency via its portal to hold operators accountable and protect consumers.
Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has issued a public notice directing all its licensees that have effected changes exceeding ten percent (10%) in their shareholding structures without prior regulatory approval to immediately regularise such infractions.
NCC
In the notice published on the Commission’s website, www.ncc.gov.ng, the NCC said the directive was issued in exercise of its statutory powers under the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.
According to the Commission, affected licensees are granted a 45-day grace period from the date of publication to regularise any unapproved changes in their shareholding structures that exceed the 10 per cent threshold.
The NCC clarified that no sanctions will be imposed during the 45-day window for any previous infractions relating to unapproved shareholding changes above the prescribed limit. However, it warned that appropriate sanctions will be enforced immediately after the expiration of the grace period against defaulting operators.
The sanctions, the Commission stated, will be applied in line with the Nigerian Communications (Enforcement Processes, etc.) Regulations, 2019.
The regulator further emphasised that the notice is issued pursuant to Regulations 41, 42 and 43 of the Licensing Regulations, 2019, which require licensees to obtain prior approval from the Commission before effecting significant changes in ownership or control.
Industry observers note that the directive underscores the NCC’s renewed focus on regulatory compliance, transparency, and corporate governance within Nigeria’s telecommunications sector.
Licensees have therefore been advised to promptly engage with the Commission to regularise their shareholding structures and avoid penalties once the grace period lapses.
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