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Dearth of Manpower Bane of Telecom Development

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Nigeria’s telecommunications industry is at a critical period in the quest for development. The sector has been bedeviled with quality of service issues, some of which are within the purview of the operators and others outside their control.

Some of the factors responsible for poor quality of services include congestion of the network by operators, as a result of insufficient capacity in the network.

It was against this backdrop that Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) banned two Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) operators from running promotions geared towards increasing their subscriber base.

Besides, there are challenges of inadequate infrastructure such as power and transmission backbone.

It is unfortunate that of the said causes of the present quality of service issue nobody is looking at vital issue that account for greater percentage of poor service delivery. This is the issue of shortage of manpower.

Skilled Manpower is the trained human resources required to run a business concern. In telecommunications, this trained manpower is required mostly in running the network such as maintenance, capacity deployment among others.

Nigeria CommunicationsWeek investigations revealed that GSM operators are facing shortage of skilled manpower in the engineering aspect of their business. This is responsible largely for the high drop calls experienced by subscribers.

When network operators rolled out service some seven years ago they engaged services of foreign expertise that are running their networks, as a result of huge cost associated with keeping these expertise and need to groom local manpower believed to be cheaper network operators started replacing some of their foreign expertise with local substitutes who are not well trained to handle high end network deployment and maintenance.

Telecommunication is a technology intensive industry and enhance requires high-level skilled manpower at all stages of its deployment. This includes research, manufacture, installation, operation and maintenance. A lot of research is required both in the development of the hardware components such as integrated circuits, thin film resistors, printed circuit boards, etc and also, in the process engineering required in manufacturing such components. For examples AT & T’s Bell Laboratories in the U.S.A at its peak in the 80’s employed over 3000 professors and academicians with PhD and MSc’s to conduct research on various fields of telecommunications. Majority of them are professors on sabbatical leave from top American universities like MIT, California Institute of Technology (CALTECH), University of California at Berkeley and Standard University. The laboratory boasts of over 30,000 patients. Nigerian universities and the Academia have unique opportunity to contribute to the development of telecommunications in Nigeria through the generation of new knowledge and also producing the right type of manpower for the industry.

Also the universities and polytechnics must equip the students with the right knowledge base that can match the requirement of the industry. There will definitely be need to modify and upgrade course curriculum in electrical/electronic engineering departments.

Engr. Ernest Ndukwe, executive vice chairman, NCC had explained at one of the telecom consumer’s parliament on quality of service that there is presently a dearth of skilled manpower in the rapidly expanding telecom industry. The frequent poaching of staff among telecom operators, sometimes through offer of higher salaries, is a clear evidence of this shortage. The coming of 3G he said and the subsequent need to expand the network will further aggravate the skills shortage. Independent engineers, financial management and technical consultants have an opportunity to bridge this skill gaps. Specifically, the Nigerian Society of Engineers should encourage its members to upgrade and sharpen their skills in order to supply the required manpower for the industry.

Operators will also be seeking to outsource some specialized functions like tower design, tele-traffic studies, power systems design, spectrum clearance, civil structures, plant maintenance, type approval certification, enterprises software, among others. 3G service introductions will definitely expand the need for these services and it is an opportunity for us to further develop and consolidate the service industry in Nigeria.

In the profile of all of the companies, there are high number of foreign engineers playing major roles in operations and maintenance.

These can be traced to the fact that the companies are new and still expanding their services, as soon as exchanges, transmission and remote stations are commissioned, all that is left is daily operations and maintenance which we are close to achieving, one would expect that the foreign engineer would transfer such responsibilities to local hands.

The call therefore is for our operators to begin a gradual integration process of having local engineers with the necessary skills to take-over the operations and maintenance of the networks.

Presently, there are many engineering graduates doing things that are unrelated to their area of training in order to keep soul and body together, and there are many others who are without employment. Operators should consider a management training scheme, under which young graduates from our universities and polytechnics would be employed as trainees; for a period of two to four years, in order to understand the systems and network, such that in the next three to five years we can have fully Nigerian companies, not only in terms of registration, but also in the area of manpower.

Under such a scheme, the trainees may be co-opted into project teams as part of the network roll out, and at the end, they would have knowledge of how things work and a full knowledge of the network profile.

In this regard, Mr. Gbenga Adebayo, chairman, Association Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (Alton) recommended that telecommunications operators should work with universities and polytechnics, to introduce the scheme, and identify the above-average students who would like to make career in telecoms, such students can be allowed to pass their industrial training with the companies and upon graduation commence a traineeship program, during which period they can be integrated into the operations of the company.

In the area of on-the-job and function specific improvement, we now have institutions like Digital Bridge Institution, Abuja that can offer training in various areas of Information and Communications Technology.

The scheme would go a long way to our manpower demands for now and the future. We can not afford to have an industry that is heavily depended on foreign hands; the implications are too many, both on our educational system, and on level of technological development.

We must have Nigerians playing significant role in the daily operations of various telecom company and that is the only way that can guarantee a truly Nigeria industry in the future.


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Vitel Wireless Lures Subscribers with “Data that Never Expires” Campaign

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Vitel Wireless, pioneer Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) licensed by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has launched an audacious “data that never expires” campaign designed to address consumer pain points in the market.

Vitel Wireless Lures Subscribers with “Data that Never Expires” Campaign

Kenneth Nwabueze, Chairman and CEO of Vitel Wireless

Fast-depleting data is a major issue for mobile users, particularly in Nigeria, with numerous complaints against network providers alleging that data plans exhaust prematurely.

But Vitel Wireless said it is now addressing the situation after extensive engagement with Nigerian consumers, particularly young people and small businesses.

Kenneth Neabueze, chairman of Vitel Wireless, said “What we’re saying to Nigerians is this, you buy the data, and you keep the data for as long as you want. There’s no more. You bought 2GB for two days, and it expires. If you buy that data under our scheme, it stays with you forever,” he said.

He added that the model promotes transparency and cost efficiency. “So it’s saving us money, it’s giving us transparency, and it’s giving us the ability to have control over how we spend and use our data,” he stated.

He noted that the concept was inspired by research into the everyday challenges Nigerians face.

“We talked to students who would tell us that in the middle of doing a project, they would be told that the data had expired, and we asked, ‘ How do we innovate?” We have analysed it, and we know, given the current economic conditions in Nigeria, you should buy the data with discounts of almost 40 per cent, and that’s why we are transparent”

The company has also unveiled a suite of products and services aimed at redefining connectivity, including its flagship Vitel Xphone.

The company explained that its services are available via both physical SIMs and eSIMs, with the 0712 number offering global use.

According to the firm, users can retain existing mobile numbers or migrate seamlessly, while enjoying nationwide coverage across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory with full GSM services including voice, SMS, USSD, and mobile data.

Chudi Nwabueze, chief operating officer of Vitel Wireless, described the firm as a technology telecom focused on innovation beyond traditional voice and data services.

“We’re coming in with a lot of innovation to activate applications and create tools that people can use in their businesses, homes, and daily lives,” he said.

He added that eSIM technology allows users to operate multiple lines on compatible devices, while introducing a range of digital solutions aimed at enhancing communication, safety, and business operations, anchored by its flagship Xphone.

Hence, the platform combines GSM and VoIP technologies to deliver seamless voice, video, and messaging services, along with cost-saving benefits and nationwide connectivity.

It is complemented by the Oga App, which enables real-time staff monitoring, automated payroll, and performance tracking to improve organisational efficiency.

Similarly, the network also rolled out SecureMe and Asset Tracker to address security and asset management needs.

While SecureMe provides GPS tracking and emergency alerts for personal and workplace safety, Asset Tracker helps businesses monitor and manage physical assets in real time.

Vitel Wireless noted that on pricing, challenged consumers to compare daily data costs across operators, while adding that the network offers discounts for higher volumes without imposing expiry limits.

Also speaking, Chinenye Adebayo,  relationship partnership manager, outlined opportunities for Nigerians to join the company’s distribution network by visiting the website and becoming a mobile agent or sun-agents in any state.

The company noted that its offerings, including Close User Group (CUG) services and high-speed wireless network, are designed to provide integrated digital solutions for individuals and enterprises, as it seeks to position itself as a disruptive force in Nigeria’s telecom sector.


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Nigeria, Ghana Trigger Stunning 45 Percent Surge in MTN Dividends

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MTN Group delivered impressive financial and operational achievements for 2025, boosted by strong performances in MTN Nigeria and MTN Ghana, as well as solid earnings from MTN South Africa.

Nigeria, Ghana Trigger Stunning 45 Percent Surge in MTN Dividends

The three core markets of Africa’s largest mobile provider enhanced profitability, free cash flow, and shareholder dividends by 45%.

IT Web Africa reported that Ralph Mupita, group CEO and president, MTN, highlighted that the telecoms giant’s robust commercial momentum across key markets capped the final year of its Ambition 2025 strategy, while laying the foundation for a new long-term growth phase under Ambition 2030.

“The Group’s overall performance in 2025 was excellent. In the final year of our Ambition 2025 strategy, we were proud to have exceeded the 300 million customers milestone,” he said.

MTN revealed that it now serves more than 307 million voice subscribers, 172 million data users, and 70 million Mobile Money customers across 16 African markets, reflecting the continent’s growing demand for digital connectivity and financial services.

The operator credited its results to disciplined commercial execution and sustained investment in network infrastructure, with R38 billion spent during the year to expand capacity, improve coverage and enhance service quality.

The group reported that data traffic surged 27%, while average monthly data consumption per user climbed to 12.5GB, up from 10.8GB a year earlier, reflecting Africa’s fast-growing appetite for digital services.

Financially, the performance was driven by MTN’s largest markets.

In constant currency terms, MTN Nigeria grew service revenue by 54.9%, while MTN Ghana increased service revenue by 35.9%.

Meanwhile, MTN South Africa recorded 2% growth, demonstrating operational resilience in one of the continent’s most mature and competitive telecom markets.

MTN Group service revenue rose nearly a quarter to R218 billion, while earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation climbed to R98.5 billion, supported by R3.6 billion in expense efficiencies.

Mupita stressed that the strong results translated into robust free cash flow and improved return generation, allowing the board to declare a dividend of 500 cents per share, up from 345 cents the previous year.

“This comfortably exceeds the minimum dividend of 370 cents we had previously guided,” he said.

The group also announced a R6 billion share buyback programme as part of an enhanced shareholder remuneration framework aimed at delivering stronger long-term returns.

Alongside its results, MTN unveiled Ambition 2030, a strategy centred on three platforms, connectivity, fintech and digital infrastructure, as it seeks to capture the next wave of growth driven by data adoption and financial inclusion across Africa.

“We are hugely excited about Africa’s potential. We are well positioned to leverage our scale, footprint and brand leadership to capture the significant structural growth opportunities identified,” said Mupita.

 

Source: IT Web Africa


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ATCIS Urges FG to Ensure Safety of Consumers Data

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Association of Telephone, Cable TV, and Internet Subscribers of Nigeria (ATCIS) non-profit consumer rights group dedicated to protecting the rights, interests, and welfare of telecommunications subscribers, has urged the Federal Government to ensure safety of telecom consumers’ data hosted by government agencies.

ATCIS Urges FG to Ensure Safety of Consumers Data

Dr Sina Bilesanmi, president of the body stated this World Consumers Day in Lagos.

He alleged that said subscribers” data are being jeopardised by some of its agencies.

Bilesanmi urged government to ensure that every subscriber in Nigeria can use digital service without fear of physical, financial, or data-related harm.

The ACTIS president said safety in the telecommunication sector extends beyond physical hardware to include data privacy and protection from cyber fraud.

“We call for stricter enforcement by the Standard organization of Nigeria (SON) to eliminate substandard mobile devices and Cable Tv equipment that pose fire or electric hazards.

“We also want safe services from telecoms that are transparent – free from hidden charges and misleading advertisements”, he said.

He urged subscribers to utilize platforms like ACTIS as well as NCC and even FCCPC web portal when they encounter service failures.

He also tasked FG on hosting Nigerian Data Privacy in the country.

He said: “We ask for more robust surveillance and swifter penalties for entities that violate consumer safety standards. We admonish the subscribers to be aware and speak out, a vigilant consumer is a protected consumer.”


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