Telecom
Data, Digital Services Drive MTN Revenue in Q 3 of 2017

MTN group’s total revenue for the third quarter of the year increased by 6.9%, and group service revenue was up 7.4% due to increase in its data revenue and digital services.
According to Rob Shuter, MTN group president and CEO, “Our key growth drivers of data and digital services performed well with revenue growth of 31.4% and 19.6% respectively.”
Data revenue refers to access data revenue only and digital revenue comes from Mobile Money and value-added services.
Data traffic for the third quarter of 2017 continued to grow strongly and was up by 125% year-on-year, while voice traffic (billable minutes) also increased by 9%. Active MTN Mobile Money customers increased quarter-on-quarter by 10.6%, to 19.8 million across the group.
However, MTN’s latest quarterly update shows a decrease in group revenue, largely due to unfavourable exchange rate movements.
The group’s total revenue, for the three months ended 30 September, declined by 13.4% while overall service revenue fell 14% year-on-year.
“In the quarter, we accelerated our network investment programme, rolling out 1 641 3G and 2 102 4G sites (including co-located sites), supporting the demand for data services. In SA and Nigeria, the network investments are showing encouraging improvements in network quality and NPS [Net Promoter Score],” adds Shuter.
This as the group says its year-to-date capital expenditure was R18 billion, up 1.1%.
The quarter, however, saw a decline in group subscribers, with a drop of 0.7% quarter-on-quarter and a decline of 1.9% year-on-year to 230.2 million at the end of September.
MTN says the subscriber decline was largely driven by lower reported subscribers in Nigeria, where the telco is continuing to refine its active subscriber definitions. There was also an impact from the disconnection of 750 000 subscribers in Uganda as a result of regulatory SIM registration requirements.
The telecoms operator, which operates in 22 countries across Africa and the Middle East, reported a 3.6% drop in group subscribers to 231.8 million during the six months to 30 June, also impacted by an initiative to modernise subscriber definitions. Shuter says this modernisation is expected to be complete by year-end.
On a constant currency basis, MTN Nigeria reported an 11.2% increase in total revenue supported by data revenue growth of 72.1%. MTN Irancell’s total revenue grew by 16.8%.
“In Nigeria, our month-on-month gross connections have increased, and we experienced stable subscriber market share over the quarter while driving increased value share,” says Shuter, despite a 5.2% drop quarter-on-quarter in subscribers in the West African nation, to around 50.3 million.
“We remain on track to meet our financial year 2017 guidance despite continued challenging economic growth across our markets,” he adds.
Telecom
Glo Unveils “Play Up” Lottery for Nigerians to Win Millions in Prizes

Telecommunications giant, Globacom, has launched an exciting new lottery service — Glo Play Up — designed to blend fun, anticipation, and the prospect of life-changing rewards for its subscribers.

Glo Play Up offers Nigerians a simple yet thrilling opportunity to turn small predictions into multi-million-naira wins. The game invites subscribers to pick a lucky number between 1 and 9 for a chance to strike gold.
To participate, Glo customers simply dial *400# or send their chosen number via SMS to 400. Each entry costs just ₦100, and players can either subscribe daily or play on demand — whenever inspiration strikes.
In a statement issued in Lagos, Globacom described the initiative as more than just a game of chance, but a celebration of hope and possibility.
“We understand the optimism and adventurous spirit of Nigerians,” the company explained. “People love to dream, play, and believe in the power of that one big win. Glo Play Up makes that dream more attainable — it’s easy to play, affordable, and truly rewarding.”
Every Friday at 4 p.m., a weekly draw will take place at Glo’s Head Office, where ten lucky subscribers will each receive ₦1 million. In addition, a grand prize winner will be announced monthly, walking away with an impressive ₦10 million. Winners will be hosted at their nearest Glo Regional Office, and all cash prizes will be credited directly into their MoneyMaster Wallet accounts.
With Glo Play Up, entertainment meets empowerment — reinforcing Globacom’s commitment to innovation, connection, and customer delight. The service not only promises excitement but also the possibility of transforming lives through rewarding experiences.
For more information, visit https://www.gloworld.com/ng/glo-play-up-lottery
Telecom
Galaxy Backbone Hosts NBMA DG for Strategic Collaboration Visit
Professor Ibrahim A. Adeyanju, managing director/chief executive officer, Galaxy Backbone (GBB) on Wednesday, 5th November 2025, received Dr. Bello Bawa Bwari, director-general, National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA), and his team on a courtesy visit to the company’s Corporate Headquarters in Abuja.

The meeting provided an opportunity for both organizations to explore areas of collaboration that align with their shared vision of leveraging technology to enhance governance, operational efficiency, and national development.
In his welcome remarks, Professor Adeyanju introduced Galaxy Backbone’s mandate and achievements in expanding Nigeria’s digital infrastructure and deepening connectivity across government institutions.
The NBMA Director-General, Dr. Bwari, commended GBB for its role in driving the Federal Government’s digital transformation agenda and shared insights into the agency’s work in ensuring biosafety, biosecurity, and the safe application of biotechnology in Nigeria.
The visit featured a presentation on GBB’s Integrated Digital Transformation Strategy (IDTS) — a key initiative of Professor Adeyanju’s leadership focused on expanding digital infrastructure, enabling data-driven governance, and fostering inter-agency collaboration.
The session concluded with a tour of GBB’s Security Operations Centre (SOC), Network Operations Centre (NOC), and Tier III Data Centre, showcasing the company’s capacity to provide secure and reliable ICT services that power government and enterprise digital operations across the country.
Telecom
MTN Nigeria Celebrates Esther Akinnukawe’s CIPM Fellowship and Inclusive Leadership

In an era where organisations are redefining leadership and equity, MTN Nigeria continues to set the pace with its growing cadre of women in senior leadership positions. The company’s consistent recognition of female excellence, both within and beyond its walls, reflects a deep, deliberate culture of inclusion and empowerment.

L-R: Katuka Halilu, Regional General Manager, MTN Nigeria; Ajibola Opeoluwa-Calebs, Senior Manager, Reward, MTN Nigeria; Esther Akinnukawe, Chief Human Resources Officer, MTN Nigeria, and ThankGod Otorkpa, General Manager, Regional Operations (Northwest), MTN Nigeria at the Award Ceremony and Gala Night of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM), held at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja, on Thursday, October 30, 2025.
Most recently, Esther Akinnukawe, Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) at MTN Nigeria, was conferred with the Fellowship Award of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) at the CIPM Gala Night and Awards Ceremony held on Thursday, October 30th, 2025.“This recognition is truly fulfilling, it represents the culmination of years of passion and perseverance. To be honoured by the leading institute for HR professionals in Nigeria is a remarkable achievement. I look forward to applying my experience and insight to continue strengthening MTN’s people strategy and driving excellence in human resource management,” Akinnukawe said following the honour.
Her recognition adds to a growing list of milestones achieved by MTN Nigeria’s female leaders in recent years. In July 2025, Uto Ukpanah, the company’s Company Secretary, made history as the 30th President and Chairman of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN), becoming only the second woman to hold the role in nearly six decades. According to the company’s 2024 Annual Report, women now represent 41.4% of the total workforce, 34.7% of management, and 21.4% of the board. These figures reflect a steady rise in gender representation across all levels, supported by a range of internal programmes focused on inclusion, mentorship, and leadership development.
In the first half of 2025, MTN Nigeria’s strong financial and operational performance further reinforced the strength of its diverse leadership. The company recorded a 54.6% increase in service revenue to ₦2.4 trillion and an impressive EBITDA growth of 119.5%, reflecting its resilience, innovation, and effective people strategy.
This performance culture, anchored on inclusion and excellence, is reflected across the company’s leadership team. Beyond Ukpanah and Akinnukawe, several women occupy influential positions shaping the company’s vision and social impact. They include Dr. Mosun Belo-Olusoga, Chairman of the MTN Foundation; Odunayo Sanya, Executive Director of the MTN Foundation and recipient of the 2024 CSI Personality of the Year Award at the Nigeria Tech Innovation & Telecoms Awards; A’isha Mumuni, Chief Digital Officer; Oby Ugboma, Chief Risk & Compliance Officer; Lynda Saint-Nwafor, Chief Enterprise Business Officer; Ugonwa Nwoye, Chief Customer Relations and Experience Officer; and Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, Chief Marketing Officer.
Her journey, from teaching and consulting to leading human capital strategy for Africa’s leading TechCo brand, exemplifies MTN’s belief that empowered women empower organisations.
MTN’s ongoing success story, both in its financial results and in people development, demonstrates that diversity is not just a metric, it’s a growth strategy. As the company continues to invest in digital skills, entrepreneurship, and social impact programmes, its commitment to elevating women into positions of influence remains resolute.
E-Business2 days agoMeta, NDPC Resolve $32.8m Privacy Dispute Out of Court
E-Financial2 days agoCBN Says High Bank Fees, Multiple Taxes Hamper Businesses
E-Financial2 days agoFirstBank, Verve Launch Flash Promo with Free Debit Cards Nationwide
News2 days agoUK’S Mobilist Facilitates Secondary Sale of Listed Shares in InfraCredit
E-Financial2 days agoNELFUND Student Loan Applications Surpass 1m in Under a Year
General News2 days agoAI Should Be an Enabler, Not a Replacement for Human Creativity – Dr. Lakinbofa Goodluck
Telecom2 days agoMTN Foundation’s Odunayo Sanya Champions Purposeful Leadership at Live2Lead Lagos
General News2 days agoWorld Bank Fixes December to Approve Nigeria’s $1Bn DPF Loan












